Abstract: A method of isolating a contaminated geological formation or aquifer is disclosed in which the formation is encapsulated by impermeable barriers. A grid of wells is drilled into the formation. A horizontal barrier is formed below the contaminated formation by creating an overlapping pattern of horizontally-oriented fractures filled with polymer radiating from each of these wells. A horizontal barrier may also be formed above the top surface of the contaminated formation if necessary. A ring of boundary wells may also be drilled surrounding the contaminated formation. The strata around each boundary well are fractured, and a polymer is then injected to form a vertical barrier around the periphery of the contaminated formation. In addition, water may be injected under pressure into guard wells between the contaminated formation and the vertical and/or horizontal barriers to further reduce any migration of pollutants into neighboring formations.

Abstract: A method of in-situ leaching is disclosed in which the ore body is incapsulated by impermeable barriers. A grid of injection and production wells are drilled into the ore body. Horizontal barriers are formed at the top and bottom of the ore body by creating an overlapping pattern of horizontally-oriented fractures filled with polymer, above and below the ore body, radiating from each of the injection and production wells. A ring of boundary wells may also be drilled surrounding the ore body. The strata around each boundary well is fractured and a polymer is then injected to form a vertical barrier around the periphery of the ore body. The lixiviant is then introduced to extract the desired mineral values. In addition, water may be injected under pressure into guard wells between the ore body and the vertical and/or horizontal barrier wells to further reduce any migration of lixiviant into neighboring formations.