Patent ID: 6743276
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
A method of heap leach mining to remove a metallic material from a heap of ore accumulated upon an impervious pad comprising the steps of:positioning a plurality of emitter tubes in a spaced relationship to each other on the ore heap, each emitter tube having a plurality of emitter openings; positioning at least one heat absorbing mat over the plurality of emitter tubes, the heat absorbing mat having a plurality of spaced heat absorbing tubes each coupled to a main conduit; coupling the plurality of emitter tubes to the plurality of heat absorbing tubes such that the plurality of heat absorbing tubes are intermediate the main conduit and the emitter tubes during flow of a leach solution therethrough; communicating a flow of the leach solution to the main conduit, wherein the flow of leach solution passes from the main conduit into the plurality of heat absorbing tubes; transferring solar energy to the leach solution while the leach solution is in the heat absorbing tubes to heat the leach solution to an elevated temperature above an ambient temperature; transferring the solar-heated leach solution into the plurality of emitter tubes; emitting the solar-heated leach solution through the emitter openings such that the leach solution percolates through the heap of ore; and collecting the leach solution from the impervious pad after the leach solution has percolated through the ore heap.