Abstract: A method and system are provided for the creation of vertical and horizontal freeze wells, in a dome-like pattern around the ore body, as a hydraulic barrier to ensure the ISR mining solution and the mined minerals do not flow out of the ore body. A method to formulate a suitable mining solution used for ISR mining, where the lixivant does not freeze when using the freeze dome containment method and where the resulting PLS has a high concentration of dissolved minerals and thus eliminates the need for the solvent extraction/ion exchange step during processing is also described.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 16, 2019
Date of Patent:
July 11, 2023
Assignee:
Denison Mines Corp.
Inventors:
Peter Longo, Chad Anthony Sorba, Greg P. Newman, Lori L. Newman, Weston Garrett Hubele, Douglass Howard Graves, Brian Michael Pile, Dany Bernard, Sandy Debusschere, Charity Brown, Lonnie Lischka