US 12,492,445 B2
Systems and methods for subsurface metal recovery
Casey J. Clayton, Ariquipa (PE); Richard Melecio Sanchez, Central, AZ (US); Raquel Crossman, Mesa, AZ (US); Luciano Kiniti Issoe, Sao Paulo (BR); Tianfang Ni, Boston, MA (US); Oleksandr Klesov, Lexington, MA (US); Luke Gerdes, Framingham, MA (US); Muneeb Alam, Alexandria, VA (US); Joanna M Robertson, Thatcher, AZ (US); Chase Zenner, Tucson, AZ (US); and John Warren Dean, Jr., Thatcher, AZ (US)
Assigned to FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION, Phoenix, AZ (US)
Filed by FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION, Phoenix, AZ (US)
Filed on Oct. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/480,354.
Application 18/480,354 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/124,333, filed on Mar. 21, 2023.
Application 18/124,333 is a continuation of application No. 17/733,171, filed on Apr. 29, 2022, granted, now 11,639,539, issued on May 2, 2023.
Application 17/733,171 is a continuation of application No. 17/223,404, filed on Apr. 6, 2021, granted, now 11,332,808, issued on May 17, 2022.
Application 17/223,404 is a continuation of application No. 16/223,760, filed on Dec. 18, 2018, granted, now 10,975,455, issued on Apr. 13, 2021.
Application 16/223,760 is a continuation of application No. 15/989,614, filed on May 25, 2018, granted, now 10,190,190, issued on Jan. 29, 2019.
Application 15/989,614 is a continuation of application No. 15/539,328, granted, now 9,982,321, issued on May 29, 2018, previously published as PCT/US2015/050015, filed on Sep. 14, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/097,458, filed on Dec. 29, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2024/0026492 A1, Jan. 25, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. C22B 7/00 (2006.01); C22B 3/02 (2006.01); C22B 3/04 (2006.01); C22B 3/22 (2006.01); C22B 3/44 (2006.01); C22B 15/00 (2006.01); E21B 43/28 (2006.01); G01F 1/36 (2006.01); G01F 1/42 (2006.01); G01F 15/00 (2006.01); G01F 15/06 (2022.01); G05D 16/10 (2006.01); G05D 16/20 (2006.01); G08B 21/18 (2006.01); G01F 1/34 (2006.01); G01F 1/74 (2006.01)
CPC C22B 7/007 (2013.01) [C22B 3/04 (2013.01); C22B 15/0065 (2013.01); G01F 1/363 (2013.01); G01F 1/42 (2013.01); G01F 15/003 (2013.01); G01F 15/005 (2013.01); G01F 15/066 (2013.01); G05D 16/20 (2013.01); G08B 21/182 (2013.01); C22B 3/02 (2013.01); C22B 3/22 (2013.01); C22B 3/44 (2013.01); E21B 43/28 (2013.01); E21C 2100/00 (2023.05); G01F 1/34 (2013.01); G01F 1/74 (2013.01); G01F 15/006 (2013.01); G05D 16/101 (2019.01); G05D 16/2024 (2019.01); Y02P 10/20 (2015.11); Y10T 137/86574 (2015.04)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method, comprising:
regulating a pressure, a mass flow rate, and a volumetric flow rate of a leaching solution to achieve a first target operational condition, wherein the first target operational condition is selected to optimize a set of operational parameters for preventing plugging of a subsurface leaching distribution system, minimizing locking up of the leaching solution in the heap and maximizing recovery of a recoverable metal;
delivering the leaching solution at the first target operational condition from the leaching solution regulating system to a subsurface leaching distribution system; and
delivering the leaching solution at the first target operational condition from the subsurface leaching distribution system to a location of the recoverable metal under a surface of a heap to leach and to recover the recoverable metal.