Abstract: The ore is subjected to nitric acid leaching and the leach solution is heated to a temperature at which one of the additional sulfur and iron values is selectively insolubilized with respect to the solution, while the other is maintained in solution for subsequent separation from the liquor after the insolubles have been removed and the liquor has been neutralized. In addition, in one embodiment of the invention the heating and acid neutralization steps are controlled within certain prescribed limits to make it possible to remove the metals from the liquor by solvent extraction without the problem of lasting precipitates forming in the liquor and fouling the extraction process. Where there is a sizable amount of dissolved iron in the liquor, the liquor may be subjected to autoclaving at a temperature above about 149.degree.C (300.degree.F) to precipitate the iron as the oxide thereof. This effect is possible even where the liquor is high in sulfate concentration.

Abstract: The pump assembly comprises means defining a fluid retention chamber having an inlet opening and an outlet opening therein, and check valve means adjacent the inlet and outlet openings, which are operative to limit the fluid flow therethrough to relatively inward and outward of the chamber, respectively, when there is a fluid pressure differential thereacross. The pump assembly also comprises hollow pulse generating means in the chamber, having a volume of less than that of the chamber, but including a normally contracted, resiliently flexible portion which is responsive to a fluid pressure pulse in the hollow of the pulse generating means, to flex in relation to the normally contracted condition thereof. It also comprises inpulsing means which are operative to impart a fluid pressure pulse to the hollow of the pulse generating means, to cause the flexible portion of the pulse generating means to flex and impart a fluid pressure output pulse to a fluid medium retained in the chamber.

Abstract: The disclosure includes additional features of the apparatus and technique disclosed in Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 3,854,539 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,464. For example, in one embodiment, the anvil is relatively rotatably interconnected with the piston-like member, and is adapted to engage the drill rod for conjoint rotation therewith. Moreover, the inner drill bit has a port in it for discharging the exhaust fluid into the working face of the outer bit from a passage in the anvil. In another embodiment, the anvil includes a core barrel which is adapted to register with the opening in the abutment, when the anvil is engaged with the abutment. The core barrel is defined by a tube which is detachably connected with the main body of the anvil at the relatively forward end thereof.