Abstract: Apparatus and method of operation for removing a settled body of discrete particulate material confined within a vessel or other container. The apparatus includes a housing which supports a plurality of nozzles adapted to direct streams of water to impinge upon and form a slurry with the material as the nozzles are oscillated back-and-forth about vertical axes. A pair of the nozzles are mounted for vertical movement between raised and lowered positions. In the raised positions the water streams from the nozzles are directed downwardly by deflector plates for a sinking stage of operation, and in the lowered position the water streams clear the deflector plates for the clean-up stage of operation. Another pair of nozzles are fixed in vertical position on the housing and are disposed to direct their water streams outwardly in a horizontally direction for a material discharge stage of operation.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for hydrometallurgical leaching of unseparated, crushed mineral ores using a vessel having liquid stream forming nozzles in the lower portion thereof which operate to direct a stream of leaching liquid into solids in the lower portion of the vessel and to create a highly agitated interaction zone above which solids are settling under gravity and through which liquid from the lower portion rises upwardly in counter-current flow. The vessel is sufficiently high that an overflow of low solids content liquid is taken from the top. Outlets, as for example discharge piping or sumps, are provided in the bottom of the vessel for the controlled removal of solids therefrom. In multistage operation, the solids content of the overflow liquid is removed and the liquid content of the underflow is removed and combined to yield a mineral pregnant liquor which serves as the leaching liquid for a preceding stage where less depleted solids are being processed.

Abstract: Precipitating copper metal from copper bearing solutions using scrap iron as a precipitant to form free copper metal precipitate. The scrap iron is retained in an unflooded bed in a container having a rotatable nozzle for spraying the copper bearing solution in a high velocity jet stream which penetrates into the bed to react with the iron to form copper and strips off the copper metal from the scrap iron. In the bottom of the container is a sieve for retaining the scrap iron while withdrawing the copper metal and the expended solution.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for excavating and removing a settled body of discrete mineral solids (e.g., a tailings pond from a mining operation) by procedures which progress downwardly from the surface of the body. High pressure streams of liquid are traversed along a path in a pulping zone lowermost in first region of the body. The liquid forms a pumpable slurry with the mineral solids in the zone, and the slurry is then pumped from the zone leaving an undercut cavity sufficient to cause collapse of the overburden of solids. The collapsed overburden is then formed into additional pumpable slurry which is removed by pumping. Successive stages of excavation are carried out by moving the streams of liquid downwardly to a second region where the foregoing steps are repeated. In the apparatus a caisson is disposed vertically in the body and stabilized by means of a plurality of circumferentially positioned pilings.

Abstract: Hydraulic underground mining system adapted to operate through a small diameter well bore and into a subterranean body and including a mining capsule carried on the lower end of an elongate support structure. The mining capsule includes a liquid jet nozzle at its upper end for forming a laterally directed jet stream to impact material in the ore body and to pulp the same into a slurry. An orifice having a grate for preventing entry of excessively large material is positioned below the jet so that freshly pulped slurry flows into the orifice, the latter being connected to an elongate positive displacement pump mounted below the orifice. Suitable hydraulic power means are provided for operating the pump and for progressively moving the jet stream .[. .]. .Iadd.through .Iaddend.at least a portion of an arc. Fixed liquid jets are also provided at the pump inlet for flushing and priming and to the lowermost portion of the capsule and to facilitate movement of the apparatus in the well bore.