In-situ leaching of ore deposits located in impermeable underground formations

Abstract

A method and system of in-situ leaching of ore deposits located within underground formations comprising non-porous and impermeable rock. The method includes hydraulically fracturing the impermeable formation containing an ore deposit to create a fractured zone within the formation. Then a flowable explosive is introduced into the fractured zone and detonated to rubblize the fractured zone to create a permeable zone within the formation that is suitable for in-situ leaching of the ore deposit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of forming an in-situ mine comprising the steps of:
 hydraulically fracturing a non-porous, impermeable formation containing an ore deposit, thereby creating a fractured zone;   introducing an flowable explosive into said fractured zone; and   detonating said explosive, thereby causing rubblization of at least a portion said fractured zone.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said flowable explosive is a liquid explosive. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said liquid explosive is nitroglycerin. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said formation comprises metamorphic or igneous rock. 
     
     
         5 . A method of in-situ recovery of uranium disposed in an underground formation comprising non-porous, impermeable metamorphic or igneous rock:
 hydraulically fracturing the underground formation, thereby creating a fractured zone along said uranium deposit;   introducing a flowable explosive into said fractured zone;   detonating said explosive, thereby creating a permeable zone;   injecting a recovery solution into said permeable zone; and   recovering said recovery solution from said permeable zone.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said flowable explosive is nitroglycerin. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said formation comprises metamorphic or igneous rock. 
     
     
         8 . A method of in-situ recovery of a uranium deposit located within an underground formation of non-porous, impermeable metamorphic or igneous rock, the method comprising the steps of:
 forming a wellbore into the underground formation approximate the uranium deposit;   hydraulically fracturing the underground formation along a portion of said wellbore, thereby creating a fractured zone within the underground formation along the uranium deposit;   injecting a flowable explosive through said wellbore and into said fractured zone;   detonating said flowable explosive, thereby creating a permeable zone along the uranium deposit;   injecting a recovery solution into said permeable zone; and   recovering said recovery solution from said permeable zone through a production well.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said flowable explosive is nitroglycerin.