Известия Томского политехнического университета: Инжиниринг георесурсов (May 2019)
Experimental substantiation of the parameters of metal underground leaching
Abstract
The relevance of the research is caused by the need to expand the scope of technology with underground leaching of metals in blocks, as a condition of satisfying natural growing needs of industry for raw materials. The main aim of the research is to substantiate technical ability and economic feasibility of metal extraction from stockpiles, mainly polymetallic ores, non-conforming to traditional technologies for metal production, but suitable for application of innovative technologies of field development. Research methods: semi-industrial tests in underground mining and laboratory researches in percolators with data processing based on multiple regression and correlation analysis and implementation of algorithms for interpretation of the experimental results, analysis of best achievements according to practice, the patent data and publications. Results. The authors have determined new patterns of technological processes of metal extraction from ores by underground leaching. It is proved that the comprehensive improvement of technological processes of development system with underground leaching allows the new technology to compete with the conventional one, especially in the cases where traditional technologies are limited by the capabilities of today's technologies for processing metal ores. Conclusions. The technology with metal underground leaching from rock ore is not a sufficiently used reserve for increasing metal production, first of all scarce and rare, including off-grade ores. The results of pilot tests of technological processes of underground leaching and theoretical calculations reveal sufficient correlation of practice and theory that indicates the possibility of controlling the course of obtaining metals with the adjustment of technology in the course of its development. Underground leaching of poor and off-balance ores will be developed as stocks in convenient regions of the Earth in the near future satisfying both economic and environmental components of mining humanization.
