Patent ID: 6851206

Claim:
A method for mining and metallurgically processing granular ore in a body of water, comprising the steps of (a) providing hydraulic variable valve apparatus including (i) a body having an exterior and a hollow interior suctioning channel, (ii) a nozzle connected to said body, (iii) a feed conduit extending adjacent and along said exterior and outside of said hollow interior suctioning channel to direct pressurized fluid into said hollow interior suctioning channel of said body to suction granular ore into said nozzle, (iv) an admixing conduit extending adjacent and along said exterior and outside of said hollow interior suctioning channel and having an end adjacent said nozzle to discharge pressurized fluid into granular ore to intermix said ore with said fluid, (v) a valve moveable between at least two operative positions, (i) a first operative position for directing pressurized fluid through a first open channel in said valve and into said admixing conduit, and (ii) a second operative position for directing pressurized fluid through a second open channel in said valve and into said feed conduit, (vi) a pump operable to direct pressurized water to said valve for direction by said valve to either said feed conduit or said admixing conduit; (b) operating said pump to direct pressurized water to said valve; (c) positioning said nozzle adjacent granular ore in the body of water; (d) moving said valve to said first operative position to direct water through said first open channel, along said admixing conduit on said exterior of said body, and out said end of said admixing conduit to admix the granular ore with water to produce an ore—water slurry; and, (e) moving said valve to said second operative position to direct water through said second open channel, along said feed conduit on said exterior of said body, and from said feed conduit into said hollow interior suctioning channel to suction said ore—water slurry into said hollow interior suctioning channel.