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Modeling In situ Copper Leaching in an Unsaturated Setting.

PB92157502

Publication Date	1991
Personal Author	Friedel, M. J.
Page Count	30
Abstract	The permeability and flow capacity in unsaturated media is investigated by the Bureau of Mines for application to in situ copper leach mining at the Cyprus Casa Grande mine site. Moisture retention properties are derived and combined with scanning electron microprobe data to characterize the mineralogy, texture, pore size, distribution, and permeability of the host rock. Finite element modeling is used to derive a saturated permeability, ambient degree of saturation, and assess various injection-recovery schemes. Recommended design modifications for optimization of solution distribution and maximum recovery from the rock matrix requires either (1) the injection pressures on the order of 1500 psi and recovery wells operating in a suction mode, or (2) performing permeability enhancement, through in situ rubblization. Injection pressures can be reduced to 500 psi with improved recovery and containment of solutions.
Keywords	Leaching Materials recovery Copper ores Mining Injection wells Permeability Porous materials Containment Finite element method Mathematical models Integrated in-situ process
Source Agency	Bureau of Mines
NTIS Subject Category	48A - Mineral Industries 48F - Geology & Geophysics 68C - Solid Wastes Pollution & Control
Corporate Authors	Bureau of Mines, Minneapolis, MN. Twin Cities Research Center.
Supplemental Notes	Library of Congress catalog card no. 91-9848.
Document Type	Technical Report
Title Note	Rept. of investigations/1991.
NTIS Issue Number	199212

Modeling In situ Copper Leaching in an Unsaturated Setting.

Modeling In situ Copper Leaching in an Unsaturated Setting.
PB92157502

Publication Date	1991
Personal Author	Friedel, M. J.
Page Count	30
Abstract	The permeability and flow capacity in unsaturated media is investigated by the Bureau of Mines for application to in situ copper leach mining at the Cyprus Casa Grande mine site. Moisture retention properties are derived and combined with scanning electron microprobe data to characterize the mineralogy, texture, pore size, distribution, and permeability of the host rock. Finite element modeling is used to derive a saturated permeability, ambient degree of saturation, and assess various injection-recovery schemes. Recommended design modifications for optimization of solution distribution and maximum recovery from the rock matrix requires either (1) the injection pressures on the order of 1500 psi and recovery wells operating in a suction mode, or (2) performing permeability enhancement, through in situ rubblization. Injection pressures can be reduced to 500 psi with improved recovery and containment of solutions.
Keywords	Leaching Materials recovery Copper ores Mining Injection wells Permeability Porous materials Containment Finite element method Mathematical models Integrated in-situ process
Source Agency	Bureau of Mines
NTIS Subject Category	48A - Mineral Industries 48F - Geology & Geophysics 68C - Solid Wastes Pollution & Control
Corporate Authors	Bureau of Mines, Minneapolis, MN. Twin Cities Research Center.
Supplemental Notes	Library of Congress catalog card no. 91-9848.
Document Type	Technical Report
Title Note	Rept. of investigations/1991.
NTIS Issue Number	199212