OXIDATIVE LEACH PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY OF HYDRO-CARBONS AND THE EXTRACTION OF METALS

摘要

The invention relates generally to an improved electrochemical method f or winning platinum group and other precious metals, and/or extracting hydrocarbons from oil deposits. In particular, the method utilizes an oxidative leach process for recovering hydro-carbons oil deposits such as oil sands, o il shales and conventional oil deposits, and extracting metals held in these bodies including the asphaltenes therein. The method converts the hydrocarbons into alcohols, glycols and other water soluble hydrocarbons. By so doing, the metals held by the asphaltenes are freed, either physically or chemically, so that these metals can be lixiviated by the oxidative leach process.