US3639003A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for leaching metal values from mineral-bearing earth material
Assignee: Kennecott Corp
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Filing: 1969-08-22
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Granted: 1972-02-01
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Expires: 1989-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A high-pressure stream of leach solution from, for example, a hydraulic monitor, is directed against a mine waste dump or other mass of mineral-bearing material to be leached, for the purpose of dislodging and breaking up the material, while, at the same time, leaching metallic values therefrom. It is preferred that material dislodged by the pressurized leach solution be formed into piles and that other high-pressure streams of leach solution be used to further agitate the piled material and to complete the leaching of metallic values therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry Rush Spedden
- 👤 Emil Edward Malouf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:18
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/28; E21C; E21C25/00; E21C25/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
31 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pregnant leach solution is recycled through the process until a predetermined concentration of metal values is present in the leach solution.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pregnant leach solution is processed to remove the metal values from the solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mass of earth material contains copper minerals, the leach solution is an acidic ferric sulfate solution, and the metal values leached from said minerals are copper values.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as set forth in claim 4, wherein the leach solution has a pH of at most pH 1.7.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process as set forth in claim 4, wherein the body of mineral-bearing material is a mine waste dump.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one stream of leach solution under pressure is directed against the face of the mass to dislodge the mineral-bearing material from the mass, and at least one additional stream of leach solution is directed into the dislodged material to agitate the material in the presence of leach solution and to solubilize the metallic values contained in the material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process of leaching metallic values from metallic mineral-bearing and water-insoluble earth material comprising directing high-pressure stream of leach solution for the metallic values concerned against a face of the mass of mineral-bearing material to dislodge said material from the mass; stockpiling said dislodged material; and leaching said stockpiled material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |