Method of achieving hydraulic control for in-situ mining through temperature-controlled mobility ratio alterations

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of fluid containment and control for in-situ mining, particularly to a method of uranium mining.

1 . A method for mining a uranium-containing mineral, comprising:
 a) injecting a chilled fluid into a zone positioned adjacent to a mining zone, wherein the chilled fluid forms a barrier zone positioned between the mining zone and one or more aquifers and wherein the barrier zone substantial impedes fluid transfer between at least one of the one or more aquifers and the mining zone;   b) conducting an in-situ mining process within the mining zone, wherein in-situ mining process comprises a lixiviant and wherein the lixiviant forms a pregnant solution containing dissolved uranium; and   c) removing the barrier zone by one of ceasing the chilled fluid injection and/or injecting a second substance.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chilled fluid is selected from the group consisting essentially of water, chilled nitrogen, chilled air, and liquefied nitrogen. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lixiviant comprises one of an acid or an alkaline solution and wherein the lixiviant optionally comprises a complexing agent and/an oxidant. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the acid solution is selected from the group consisting essentially of sulfuric acid and sulfuric acid solutions, wherein the alkaline solution is selected from the group consisting essentially of sodium bicarbonate, ammonia bicarbonate, and combinations thereof, and wherein the oxidant is selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen peroxide, peroxides, and superoxides. 
   
   
       5 . A method for mining, comprising:
 a) means for forming a barrier zone position adjacent to a mining zone;   b) means for mining within the mining zone, wherein the barrier zone substantially impedes fluid flow out of the mining zone and substantially isolates the mining means within the mining zone; and   c) barrier zone removal means.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the mining means comprises an in-situ mining process and wherein the barrier zone is substantially maintained during the means for mining. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein mining means comprises a uranium in-situ mining process, wherein the barrier zone forming means comprises a chilling means and wherein the barrier zone removal means comprises a warming means. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the chilling means comprises a chilled fluid and wherein the barrier zone is position between the mining zone and another zone and wherein the barrier zone substantially impedes fluid flow between the mining and another zones. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the in-situ mining process comprises a lixiviant and wherein the chilled fluid is water. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the lixiviant comprises one of an acid or an alkaline solution and wherein the lixiviant optionally comprises a complexing agent and/an oxidant. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the acid solution is selected from the group consisting essentially of sulfuric acid and sulfuric acid solutions, wherein the alkaline solution is selected from the group consisting essentially of sodium bicarbonate, ammonia bicarbonate, and combinations thereof, and wherein the oxidant is selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen peroxide, peroxides, and superoxides. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the chilled fluid is selected from the group consisting essentially of chilled water, chilled nitrogen, chilled air, and liquefied nitrogen. 
   
   
       13 . A mining method, comprising:
 a) contacting a substance with a barrier-forming zone positioned adjacent to a mining zone, the barrier-forming zone being positioned between the mining zone and at least one aquifer, wherein the contacting of the substance with the barrier-forming zone creates a barrier zone positioned between the at least one aquifer and the mining zone;   b) conducting an in-situ mining process within the mining zone, wherein the barrier zone is maintained during the in-situ mining process; and   c) removing the barrier zone at the conclusion of the in-situ mining process.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the mining zone comprises a uranium-containing mineral, wherein the barrier zone substantially inhibits fluid exchange between the at least one aquifer and the mining zone and wherein the substance comprises injecting chilled water. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the in-situ mining process comprises a lixiviant and wherein the lixiviant forms a pregnant solution containing dissolved uranium. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the lixiviant comprises one of an acid or an alkaline solution and wherein the lixiviant optionally comprises a complexing agent and/an oxidant. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the acid solution is selected from the group consisting essentially of sulfuric acid and sulfuric acid solutions, wherein the alkaline solution is selected from the group consisting essentially of sodium bicarbonate, ammonia bicarbonate, and combinations thereof, and wherein the oxidant is selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen peroxide, peroxides, and superoxides. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the substance is selected from the group consisting essentially of chilled water, chilled nitrogen, chilled air, and liquefied nitrogen. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the removing step c) further comprises one of:
 i) ceasing the injection of the substance; and   ii) injecting a second substance.