Method of borehole hydraulicking of soluble minerals

摘要

A method of working metalliferous deposits which includes tapping a pay zone by development boreholes, hydraulically mining for a mineral in the pay zone through the formation of brine having a level which is maintained below the location of hydraulic mining of the mineral, shaping a working chamber by shifting the location of hydraulic mining along the axis of the borehole within the confines of the pay zone and lifting the brine out of the working chamber to the surface. The hydraulic mining of the mineral is alternated with the lift-of brine to the surface, such that the location of hydraulic mining is shifted from the floor of the pay zone to the roof of the pay zone at a speed which is not less than the speed at which the level of brine is rising in the working chamber. The method also includes tapping a pair of boreholes and forming working chambers in each. The hydraulic mining and accumulation of brine take place in one of the shaped working chambers while previously accumulated brine is lifted out of the other working chamber.