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.

Abstract: A method for controlling downhole fluid flow in multi-lateral solution mining may include forming a solution mining production well with a plurality of horizontal laterals drilled from a surface to connect and intersect with a horizontal or vertical injection well; and installing a downhole flow control device at the intersection of the horizontal injection well and each of the horizontal laterals. The downhole flow control device may be capable of being adjusted to distribute injection flow as desired through the horizontal laterals. The downhole flow control device may be a sliding sleeve capable of ranging from fully open to full closed to control flow from the injection well into multiple locations within the mineralized zone.

Abstract: A method of horizontal directional drilling is provided. The proposed method utilizes directional drilling in which boreholes are arranged in a pattern such that the surface area of extraction is maximized. The pattern can be achieved using a vertical borehole, multiple lateral boreholes and multiple subsidiary portions of the lateral boreholes. A lateral borehole is drilled extending beyond a vertical borehole towards the orebody, from which a subsidiary borehole is drilled into the orebody. Once the extraction is complete, the subsidiary borehole is back filled. A new subsidiary borehole is drilled extending beyond the lateral borehole and adjacent to the first subsidiary borehole. The subsidiary boreholes are planned to form a honeycomb or direct stacked pattern. Once all extraction is complete from a lateral borehole and its subsidiary boreholes, a new lateral borehole is drilled from the vertical borehole and the process is repeated.

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.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a method and method for recovery of solution mined minerals. The method may include creating superheated steam using a steam boiler; passing the superheated steam through a turbine/generator to generate electricity; reheating the steam exiting the turbine/generator to saturation with a steam reheater; using the saturated steam with an absorption chiller to create chilled water; and recovering minerals using the chilled water in a cooling crystallizer system. In embodiments, the method and system may be used to recover minerals, such as potash (KCl), washing soda (Na2CO3.10H2O); nahcolite (NaHCO3); and glauber salt (NaSO4.10H2O). The method may utilize the trigeneration of steam, electrical, and chilled water utilities, which may be used for a recovery process.