Patent ID: 8899691

Claim:
A method for solution mining of an evaporite mineral, comprising: a) drilling at least one access well accessing an evaporate mineral formation; b) drilling at least two lateral boreholes, wherein the at least two lateral boreholes are communicating with each other and wherein at least one of the lateral boreholes is connected to the at least one access well; c) injecting a fluid into the at least one access well; d) circulating the fluid through the at least one access well and the at least two lateral boreholes; e) managing the fluid flow in the lateral boreholes, wherein controlled measurable fluid flow is maintained through the lateral boreholes by the use of components or methods selected from the group consisting of inlet fluid pressure, packers, plugs, casing, cement, perforations, specific gravity gradients, artificial leach barriers, natural intrabed barriers, natural interbed barriers, flow reversal, adjustable tubing controlled injection, adjustable tubing controlled recovery points and combinations thereof; and f) collecting a pregnant solution containing a dissolved evaporite mineral.