METHOD FOR UNDERGROUND LIXIVIATION OF METALS FROM ORES Russian patent published in 1998 - IPC

FIELD: mining industry. SUBSTANCE: it can be used at non-ferrous metal mining enterprises. According to method, lixiviation solution is delivered to ore mass and ore is processed by alternate delivery of solution and pulses of infra low frequency current with frequency of 0.06-3.0 Hz and voltage of 300-800 V per one meter of ore mass to pairs of electrodes located oppositely in ore mass to be lixiviated. Duration of current pulses produced through pair of electrodes is equal to relation of current period to number of pairs of electrodes located in ore mass. Taking place in ore mass at passing of current pulses is electrolysis of water and surface electrolysis of minerals with creation of net of microfissures in ore lumps under action of series of electrohydraulic shocks and local thermal and electric overstresses. This intensifies lixiviation process. Then, productive metal-bearing solutions are directed to processing for extraction of metals. EFFECT: high efficiency. 3 dwg