Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an extraction method. A conduit is formed in a heap-leach pad. The heap-leach pad includes a plurality of poorly perfused areas. The conduit is in fluid communication with poorly perfused areas of the heap-leach pad. A fluid that includes steam is injected into the conduit. The fluid travels through the heap-leach pad and condenses in poorly perfused areas of the heap-leach pad. An extraction solution is applied to the heap-leach pad. Condensation of steam in the poorly perfused areas of the heap-leach pad provides new flow pathways for the extraction solution.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 13, 2013
Publication date:
June 26, 2014
Applicant:
Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the Desert Research Insti.