US3837707A

US3837707A - Hydraulic mining system

Info

Publication number: US3837707A
Application number: US00407072A
Authority: US
Inventors: O Kilroy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-09-29
Filing date: 1973-10-17
Publication date: 1974-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 1991-09-24

Abstract

An hydraulic mining system comprising the generation of power from a column of water which downflows from a surface reservoir to an underground reservoir and in which at least a portion of spent water is recirculated and with the column of water operating a turbine, mechanically driving a pump included in a transfer tube extending from the mining level to the ground surface from the turbine, converting waste rock into slurry form, converting mineral-containing ore into slurry form, introducing the slurries into said tube to be pumped upwardly therein, separating water from said slurries at the ground surface and returning this spent water to the surface reservoir. In three embodiments, the mineral components of the ore are separated from the ore by micro-bacteriological processes and apparatus which includes a mill and a fermentation tank. In one of these embodiments, the separation is substantially completed at the mining level. In a second embodiment, it is initiated at the mining level, continued in the transfer tube and completed at the ground surface. In a third embodiment, it is carried out substantially at the ground surface.

Description

United States Patent 1 Kilroy 1 Sept. 24, 1974 1 HYDRAULIC MINING SYSTEM Oliver B. Kilroy, 5 Calle Carta St., Tucson, Ariz. 85716 [22] Filed: Oct. 17, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 407,072

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. Nos. 293,401, Sept. 29, 1972, Pat. No. 3,790,214, and Ser. No. 398,951, Sept. 20, 1973, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser.

[76] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-Ernest R. Purser Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John A. Robertson [57] ABSTRACT An hydraulic mining system comprising the generation of power from a column of water which downflows from a surface reservoir to an underground reservoir and in which at least a portion of spent water is recirculated and with the column of water operating a turbine, mechanically driving a pump included in a transfer tube extending from the mining level to the ground surface from the turbine, converting waste rock into slurry form, converting mineral-containing ore into slurry form, introducing the slurries into said tube to be pumped upwardly therein, separating water from said slurries at the ground surface and returning this spent water to the surface reservoir.

In three embodiments, the mineral components of the ore are separated from the ore by micro-bacteriological processes and apparatus which includes a mill and a fermentation tank. In one of these embodiments, the separation is substantially completed at the mining level. In a second embodiment, it is initiated at the mining level, continued in the transfer tube and completed at the ground surface. In a third embodiment, it is carried out substantially at the ground surface.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENIEDSEPZMQH SHEET 10$ 4 Pmminsww 3.897? K SHEEI 30? a HYDRAULIC MINING SYSTEM This application is a continuation-in-part of the copending application of Oliver B. Kilroy, Ser. No. 293,401, filed Sept. 29, 1972 and now US. Pat. No. 3,790,214 for Hydraulic Mining System, and the copending application of Oliver B. Kilroy, Ser. No. 398,951 filed Sept. 20, 1973 for Hydraulically Powered Ore Raising Mechanism for Mining System, which is a continuation-in-part application of said application Ser. No. 293,401.

The present invention relates to hydraulic mining systems and is concerned primarily with the transfer of waste rock in slurry form from the mining level to the ground surface and the separation of mineral components from the ore by micro-bacteriological processes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the above identified application Ser. No. 293,401 there is disclosed a mining system in which mineralcontaining ore is mined at a mining level, converted into slurry form in a slurry tank at the mining level, and the slurry introduced into a transfer tube which extends from the mining level to the ground surface. Included in this tube at its lower end is a pump which is driven by mechanical connections extending from a turbine that is included in a downflow tube extending from a surface reservoir to an underground reservoir at or below the mining level. A return conduit extends from this underground reservoir to the surface reservoir and included therein is a pump which is driven by an electric motor.

The transfer tube communicates at its upper end with a separator at the ground surface which is identified in this copending application as a pressure autoclave. A tube extends from this separator to the surface reservoir. It is evident that at least a portion of the water which flows downwardly in the downflow tube is recirculated as is spent water from the separator at the ground surface and the underground reservoir.

The system disclosed in said copending application Ser. No. 293,401 is noticeably lacking in any provision for conveying waste rock which is an inevitable incident of the mining operation to the ground surface. It is also notable that in some instances after a mining operation has been conducted for an appreciable period, tunnels and/or cavities are created at the mining level which are susceptible of accommodating apparatus such as a rock crusher or those involved in separation processes.

It is now well recognized and well accepted in the mining industry that several minerals may be separated from sulfuritic ores by micro-bacteriological processes. As evidence of this, reference is made to the following United States patents:

2,829,964 Zimmerly et a1 3,218,252 Glover et al 3,266,889 Duncan et al 3,272,621 Zajic 3,305,353 Duncan et al 3 330,650 Zimmerly et all 3,347,661 Mayling 3,607,235 Duncan et 21] 3,679,397 OConnor et al While all of these patents are directed to processes, that to Duncan et al., US. Pat. No. 3,305,353, de-

scribes apparatus which is particularly adapted for incorporation into the mining system of said copending application Ser. No. 293,401. Thus, in this patent to Duncan et al., there is disclosed a process for the bacteriological extraction of metals from sulfuritic ores which comprises exposing the ore to an aqueous leaching medium for metallic sulfides and containing sulfideoxidizing bacteria while subjecting the ore, leaching medium and bacteria to agitation and aeration of the solution.

The patentees of Duncan et al further point out that the daily output of 4,600 tons of chalcopyrite ore may be accommodated by apparatus comprising a mill and a fermentation tank which carries out the process in a fermentation period of two days. This tank is described as a submerged culture fermentation tank of 268,000 cubic feet which will suffice to process the entire output of the mill into soluble copper. This tank is further identified as being 10 feet deep, feet wide and 268 feet long. Reference is also made to known aeration equipment. An important aspect of the present invention is based on the concept of incorporating apparatus such as disclosed in this patent to Duncan et al into the hydraulic mining system of said application Ser. No. 293,401.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION With the foregoing conditions in mind, the present invention has in view the following objectives:

1. To provide in an hydraulic mining system installed in a mine having a ground surface and a mining level and including: a surface reservoir, an underground reservoir, a downflow tube extending from said surface reservoir to said underground reservoir, a turbine included in said downflow tube, apparatus for mining ore at said mining level, a mill for grinding mineralcontaining ore, a slurry tank for converting said ground ore into slurry form, a transfer tube extending from said mining level to said ground surface and including a pump which is mechanically driven from said turbine with the tube receiving slurry, a separator at the ground surface, a crusher for waste rock with a slurry tank for converting crushed rock into slurry form, both at the mining level, connections for introducing said waste rock slurry into the transfer tube at said pump, with slurry flow control means for alternately introducing mineral-containing ore in slurry form and the waste rock slurry into said transfer tube, and a separating tank at said ground surface which receives waste rock slurry, together with a valve at the upper end of said transfer tube for diverting slurry therein either to the waste rock separating tank or the separator for the mineral-containing ore slurry, and return conduits from said underground reservoir and said separator tanks to said surface reservoir.

2. To provide, in an hydraulic mining system of the type noted, conduits extending from said underground reservoir to said slurry tanks to provide the water necessary for the respective slurries.

3. To provide, in an hydraulic mining system of the character aforesaid, means for flushing the connections between said slurry tanks and said pump.

4. To provide, in an hydraulic mining system of the kind described, a transfer tube including a pump for the mineral-containing ore slurry and another transfer tube including a pump for the waste rock slurry, with both of said pumps being mechanically driven from the turbine and with the upper ends of said transfer tubes communicating with individual separators. As a corollary to this objective, the flushing means and the valve at the upper end of the transfer tube are omitted.

5. To provide, in an hydraulic mining system of the type noted, a mill and fermentation tank of the character disclosed in said patent to Duncan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,305,353. at the ground level and in which the conversion of mineral-containing ore into a mineralcontaining solution is substantially completed at the mining level.

6. To provide, in an hydraulic mining system of the character aforesaid, a transfer tube of an extent sufficient to provide for the carrying out of a substantial portion of the fermentation process therein, whereby the fermentation process is initiated at the mining level, continued in the transfer tube and completed at the ground surface.

7. To provide, in an hydraulic mining system of the kind described, a separate tube, pump and separator tank for the waste rock slurry and another transfer tube which receives ore concentrate from the mill in slurry form and transfers it to a fermentation tank at the ground surface, whereby the fermentation process is substantially carried out at the ground surface.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention, such as arise in connection with carrying out the above ideas in a practical embodiment, will, in part, become apparent and, in part, be hereafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects are achieved by the five embodiments herein disclosed. In the first embodiment, a surface reservoir is located at or immediately below the ground surface and an underground reservoir is located at or below the mining level. A downflow tube extends between these reservoirs. A turbine is included in this tube and is driven by the downflowing column of water therein. Mining apparatus is located at the mining level with mineral-containing ore and waste rock resulting from the mining operation. A crusher converts the waste rock into a condition in which it is susceptible of being converted into slurry form. This waste rock is conducted to a waste slurry tank which receives water from the underground reservoir. A mill converts the mineral-containing ore into a condition in which it is susceptible of conversion into slurry form. The operation of this mill also results in the formation of so-called tailings" which are conveyed to the waste slurry tank. The ore-containing minerals are conveyed to a slurry tank therefor which also receives water from the underground reservoir.

A pair of separator tanks are located at the ground surface and a branch conduit extends from each of them to a two-way valve located at the upper end of a transfer tube and which directs slurry from the tube into one of the tanks. A pump is located at the lower end of this tube and the mining level and is mechanically driven from the turbine. A conveying tube extends from each of the slurry tanks to this pump and included in each of these conveying tubes is a valve for controlling the flow of slurry therethrough. At a point in each of these conveying tubes between the valve therein and the pump, a flush line is connected and receives water from the underground reservoir. A return conduit extends from the separator tanks to the surface reservoir and another return conduit from the underground reservoir to the surface reservoir. An electric motor driven pump is included in the latter return conduit. Spent water is returned through these return conduits to the surface reservoir.

In a second embodiment, two transfer tubes, each having a pump, are provided rather than one, the flush lines are omitted and the two-way valve at the upper end of a transfer tube is also omitted.

The third embodiment is substantially the same so far as apparatus is concerned as the first embodiment, with the notable exception that the mill is of the type which grinds the ore into a size suitable for the micro-bacteriological processes of the patent to Duncan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,305,353, and the slurry tank for the ore is replaced by a fermentation tank of the type disclosed in said Duncan et al. patent. This mill and fermentation tank are located at the mining level to provide for substantially completing the fermentation period at the mining level.

The fourth embodiment is much the same as the third embodiment, with the notable exception that the transfer tube is of an extent and capacity to provide for carrying out a major portion if not all of the fermentation period therein.

In the fifth embodiment, a separate transfer tube and pump are provided for the waste material, and another transfer tube and pump for the ore concentrate coming from the mill which is mixed with water to provide for its upward conveyance in this transfer tube. The upper end of this tube communicates with a fermentation tank of the character disclosed in said patent to Duncan et al which is located at the ground surface. Thus, all of the ore separating apparatus, with the exception of the mill, is located at the ground surface where fermentation occurs.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective of an hydraulic mining system made in accordance with certain precepts of this invention and illustrating one embodiment thereof;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a second embodiment;

FIG. 3 is another diagrammatic perspective depicting the third and fourth embodiments of this invention, and

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective illustrating the fifth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding elements throughout the several views, and first more particularly to FIG. 1, a mine in which mineral-containing ores is illustrated diagrammatically as being formed below a ground surface 10 and presenting a mining level represented by the line 11. A surface reservoir 12 is located at or below ground surface 10. At this point, it is deemed important to point out that surface reservoir 12 contains a supply of water adequate to perform the operations hereinafter described. It is recognized that while spent water is returned to this reservoir, as will be later described, some water is actually consumed during the operation of the various apparatus which might be called planned loss of water, and other water will be lost due to other causes such as evaporation or absorption. This lost water will, of course, have to be replaced and this replacement is represented by the arrow 13 with the water coming from any appropriate source.

A downflow conduit 14 extends from surface reservoir 12 to an underground reservoir 15. A turbine 16 is included in downflow conduit 14. A return conduit 17 extends from underground reservoir to surface reservoir 12 and included therein is a pump 18 which is driven by an electric motor 19. As explained in copending application Ser. No. 398,951, pump 18 will ordinarily be operated at nighttime when there is sufficient water in surface reservoir 12 for operation of the mine during the day. Pump 18 will be operated at night because in most mining areas electric power is less expensive at night.

Mining apparatus is represented diagrammatically at 20. This apparatus may be of any of the conventional types now employed in mining mineral-containing ore and particularly sulfuritic ores. Two types of such mining apparatus are illustrated in copending application Ser. No. 293,401.

The mining of the ore results in the formation of waste rock and mineral-containing ore. A rock crusher 21 reduces the waste rock to a size in which it is readily convertible into a slurry. A mill 22 converts the mineral-containing ore into condition to be converted into slurry form and also results in the formation of a fine waste material commonly known as tailings. A waste slurry tank 23 receives these tailings and also the ground waste rock. A water line 24 extends from underground reservoir 15 to waste slurry tank 23 to provide the water necessary for formation of the slurry. A branch line 25 extends from line 24 to a slurry tank 26 to provide water necessary for converting the ground ore coming from mill 22 into slurry form.

A transfer tube 27 includes a pump 28 at its lower end which is at the mining level. This pump is driven by turbine 16 by mechanical connections represented by broken line 29. A conveying tube 30 extends from slurry tank 26 to pump 28 and included therein is a valve 31 controlling the flow of slurry therethrough. Another conveying tube 32 extends from waste slurry tank 23 to pump 28 and included therein is a control valve 33.

It is intended that waste slurry and mineral ore containing slurry be alternately introduced into transfer tube 27 at pump 28. To provide for a good delineation or separation of these slurries as they are introduced into transfer tube 27, a flush line 34 is provided. This flush line 34 is connected by a branch line 35 which is connected to conveying tube 30 and includes a valve 36. It is also connected to conveying tube 32 by a branch line 37 including a valve 38. It is evident that after the discontinuance of the flow of one slurry to pump 28, one of the

valves

36 or 38 are open to flush out the respective conveying tube.

A pair of separating tanks 39 and 40 are located at the ground surface. Immediately adjacent to the ground surface, tube 27 is provided with a valve 41 which controls the flow of slurry from tube 27 into one of the tanks 39 or 40. Thus, for the purposes of this specification, it will be assumed that the tank 40 is a separator tank for waste rock slurry, while tank 39 is a separator which may include a pressure autoclave as disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 293,401. A

return conduit 42 extends from these tanks to surface reservoir 12 to return spent water to reservoir 12.

While the operation of this embodiment is believed to be obvious from the illustration of the drawing and description of parts set forth above, it maybe briefly outlined by noting that waste rock coming from the mining operation is reduced to an appropriate size in crusher 21 and conveyed to waste slurry tank 23. The mineral-containing ore is ground in mill 22 and converted into tailings which are conveyed to waste slurry tank 23 with the ore concentrate being delivered to ore slurry tank 26. When ore concentrate in ore slurry form is to be conducted through transfer tube 27 to separator tank 39, valve 41 is operated to provide for this flow and shut off flow to waste separator tank 40. Valve 33 is closed and valve 31 is open. As pump 28 is driven from turbine 16, the ore concentrate slurry is conveyed to separator 39. Turbine 16 is driven by the downflowing column of water in downflow tube 19. Spent water, that is water which has passed the turbine, is received in underground reservoir 15 and then returned to surface reservoir 12 through the conduit 17. Waste water is returned from tanks 39 and 40 to surface reservoir 12 through return conduit 42. An adequate supply of water is always maintained in surface reservoir 12 by the water supply indicated at 13.

SECOND EMBODIMENT FIG. 2 illustrated the second embodiment in which many of the elements are the same as the first embodiment, and therefore bear the same reference characters.

A transfer tube 43 has a pump 44 at its lower end and the mining level and extends upwardly to an ore concentrate separator 45 at the ground surface, and which will include a pressure autoclave as previously explained. Pump 44 receives ore containing slurry from slurry tank 26. Another transfer tube 46 has a pump 47 at its lower end and the ground level and extends to a waste material separating tank 48 at the ground surface. Pump 47 receives waste slurry from tank 23. Pumps 44 and 47 are driven from turbine 16 by mechanical connections represented by broken lines 49 and 50. A return conduit 51 extends from separator tank 48 to surface reservoir 12, while ore concentrate separator 45 is connected by line 52 to return conduit 51.

The operation of the embodiment of FIG. 2 is believed to be obvious. It is substantially the same as that described in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the exception that the pumps 44 and 47 are operated independently of each other and may be operated either simultaneously or one operated while the other is inoperative.

THIRD EMBODIMENT The apparatus for carrying out the third embodiment is substantially the same as that disclosed in FIG. 1, with two notable exceptions. In view of this common subject matter, the elements of FIG. 3 which are the same as corresponding elements in FIG. I bear the same reference characters.

Mineral-containing ore which has been mined is conveyed to a mill 53 which is somewhat different from mill 22 in that it grinds the ore to a size in which the mineral concentrates are adapted to the fermentation process. Tailings from the mill 53 are conducted to waste slurry tank 23 in the manner above described in connection with FIG. 1. A fermentation tank is represented at 54. This fermentation tank will be of a size comparable to that disclosed in the patent to Duncan et al., US. Pat. No. 3,305,353, and will be located at the mining level in a cavity of a size sufficient to accommodate it as explained under the chapter Background of the Invent. Cavities of such size are ordinarily formed by the mining operation. At the possible expense of repetition, it is noted that fermentation tank 34 should be of a capacity in the order of 268,000 cubic feet. Such capacity is provided by a tank ten feet deep, 100 feet wide and 268 feet long, although it will be recognized that variations in such dimensions may be provided so long as the desired capacity in the tank is achieved. As explained in the said patent to Duncan et al, the fermentation period is in the order of two days. Hence, mill 53 and tank 54 must have the capacity for accommodating the full normal daily output of the mine. As explained in the patent to Duncan et al, the aqueous leaching medium containing sulfideoxidizing bacteria in tank 54 is subject to agitation and aeration. Inasmuch as devices for achieving such agitation and aeration are well known, they are not herein disclosed.

The operation of the third embodiment so far as apparatus is concerned is substantially the same as that of FIG. 1, with the exception that the ore concentrate is retained in the fermentation tank 54 for a period of about two days.

FOURTH EMBODIMENT The apparatus used in carrying out the fourth embodiment is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 3 in the same way as is the third embodiment. The exception is that the fermentation tank 54 is replaced by a much smaller tank in which little if any of the fermentation process is carried out, with its main function being to convert the aqueous leaching medium of metallic sulfides and sulfide-oxidizing bacteria into a solution. This solution is introduced into the transfer tube 27 which is of an extent and capacity to allow for substantially most if not all of the fermentation period to occur therein. When it is considered that the mining levels 11 for many mines of the type with which this invention is concerned are at a depth in the order of 3,700 feet and the fact that fermentation tank 39 may be laterally offset from the lower end of tube 27 and a distance to impart a long longitudinal extent to tube 27, the ore concentrate solution may remain in this tube a time of close to two days which is the fermentation period. Thus, for all practical purposes, the fermentation is merely initiated at the mining level and is substantially completed in transfer tube 27.

FIFTH EMBODIMENT PK]. 4 illustrates the fifth embodiment in which fermentation is carried out at the ground surface. Again, it is noted that elements corresponding to elements in the other embodiments bear the same reference characters.

In accordance with this embodiment, ore concentrate is conducted from mill 53 by a tube 55 with water being introduced thereinto at point 56 to form a slurry which is introduced into pump 57 at the lower end of a transfer tube 58. Transfer tube 58 delivers this slurry to a fermentation tank 59 at the ground surface. Tailings from mill 53 are conveyed to waste slurry tank 23 as is crushed rock from crusher 21. This waste slurry is conducted by a line 60 to a pump 61 at the lower end of a transfer tube 62 which delivers the waste slurry to a slurry separator tank 63 at the ground surface. A return conduit 64 returns spent water from tanks 59 and 63 to surface reservoir 12. Pumps 57 and 61 are driven from turbine 16 by mechanical connections represented at broken lines 65 and 66.

As explained above, a micro-bacteriological process of the type with which this invention is concerned includes as essential elements a mill and a fermentation tank. While the mill is located at the mining level, the fermentation tank is at the ground surface. Thus, while that portion of the process in which the mill is involved is carried out at the mining level, this operation requires but a small amount of time, and it may be stated for all practical purposes that substantially all of the time required for the complete process is carried out at the ground surface.

It will be understood that after the fermentation period, a mineral in solution is drawn from the separator tank 39 of FIG. 3 for the third and fourth embodiments and from that portion of fermentation tank 59 in which fermentation is completed. Spent water is returned to surface reservoir 12 and waste materials from the fermentation process are either discarded or reprocessed to recover any beneficial components thereof.

While preferred specific embodiments are herein disclosed, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact steps, constructions and materials illustrated and described, because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice.

What is claimed is:

1. In a mine formed in the ground and presenting a ground surface and a mining level, an hydraulic mining system comprising:

a. a surface reservoir at said ground surface;

b. an underground reservoir at said mining level;

c. a downflow tube extending from said surface reservoir to said underground reservoir;

d. a turbine in said downflow tube;

e. a return conduit extending from said underground reservoir to said surface reservoir;

f. an electric motor driven pump in said return conduit;

g. mining apparatus at said mining level;

h. a rock crusher at said mining level for crushing waste rock generated by operation of said mining apparatus;

i. a mill at said mining level for reducing mineral containing ore into a form in which it is adapted to be incorporated into a slurry and which creates tailings;

j. a waste slurry tank receiving crushed rock from said rock crusher and tailings from said mill;

k. a conduit extending from said underground reservoir to said waste slurry tank to supply the water necessary for a slurry thereto;

l. a mineral containing ore slurry tank receiving ground ore from said mill;

m. a conduit extending from said underground reservoir to said mineral ore containing slurry tank to supply slurry water thereto;

n. a waste slurry separating tank at said ground surface;

0. a separator for mineral containing ore slurry at said ground surface;

p. a transfer tube extending from said mining level to said ground surface;

q. a pump at the lower end of said transfer tube;

1'. mechanical connections between said pump at the lower end of said transfer tube and said turbine; s. a conveying tube extending from said mineral containing ore slurry tank to said pump at the lower end of said transfer tube; t. a control valve in said conveying tube;

u. a second conveying tube extending from said waste I slurry tank to said pump at the lower end of said transfer tube;

v. a control valve in said second conveying tube;

w. a two-way valve in the upper end of said transfer tube;

x. branch tubes extending from said two-way valve to said separator tanks, and

y. a return conduit extending from said separator tanks to said surface reservoir.

2. The hydraulic mining system of claim 1, together with flush lines extending from said underground reservoir to said conveying tubes and each including a valve for controlling the flow of water therethrough.

3. In a mine formed in the ground and presenting a ground surface and a mining level, an hydraulic mining system comprising:

a. a surface reservoir at said ground surface;

b. an underground reservoir at said mining level;

d. a turbine in said downflow tube;

f. an electric motor driven pump in said return conduit;

g. mining apparatus at said mining level;

k.-a conduit extending from said underground reservoir to said waste slurry tank to supply the water necessary for a slurry thereto;

l. a mineral containing ore slurry tank receiving ground ore from said mill;

n. a waste slurry separating tank at said ground surface;

o. a separator for mineral containing ore slurry at said ground surface;

p. a transfer tube extending from said mining level to said waste slurry separator tank at said ground surface;

q. a pump at the lower end of said transfer tube;

r. mechanical connections between said pump at the lower end of said transfer tube and said turbine;

s. a second transfer tube extending from said mining level to said mineral containing ore separator tank at said ground surface;

t. a pump at the lower end of said second transfer tube;

u. mechanical connections between the pump at the lower end of said second transfer tube and said turbine;

v. a conveying tube extending from said waste slurry tank to said first mentioned pump;

w. a second conveying tube extending from said mineral containing ore slurry tank to the pump at the lower end of said second transfer tube, and

x. return conduits extending from said separator tanks to said surface reservoir.

4. In a mine formed in the ground and presenting a ground surface and a mining level, an hydraulic mining system comprising:

a. a surface reservoir at said ground surface;

b. an underground reservoir at said mining level;

0. a downflow tube extending from said surface reservoir to said underground reservoir;

d. a turbine in said downflow tube;

f. an electric motor driven pump in said return conduit;

g. mining apparatus at said mining level;

i. a mill at said mining level for grinding mineral containing ore into ore concentrates adapted for fermentation in a micro-bacteriological process, and which grinding creates tailings;

j. a waste slurry tank receiving crush rock from said rock crusher and tailings from said mill;

1. a fermentation tank at the mining level receiving ore concentrates from said mill;

m. a conduit extending from said underground reservoir to said fermentation tank to supply water thereto;

n. a water slurry separating tank at said ground surface;

o. a fermented material separator tank at said ground surface;

p. a transfer tube extending from said mining level to said ground surface; q. a pump at the lower end of said transfer tube; r. mechanical connections between said pump at the lower end of said transfer tube and said turbine; s. a conveying tube extending from said fermentation tank to said pump at the lower end of said transfer tube;

t. a control valve in said conveying tube;

u. a second conveying tube extending from said waste slurry tank to said pump;

v. a control valve in said second conveying tube;

w. a two-way valve in the upper end of said transfer tube;

x. branch tubes extending from said two-way valve to said separator tanks, and

5. The hydraulic mining system of claim 4 in which 6. In a mine formed in the ground and presenting a ground surface and a mining level, an hydraulic mining system comprising:

a. a surface reservoir at said ground surface;

b. an underground reservoir at said mining level;

d. a turbine in said downflow tube;

f. an electric motor driven pump in said return conduit;

g. mining apparatus at said mining level;

i. a reducing mill at said mining level for converting mineral containing ore into condition for fermentation in a micro-bacteriological process and for creating tailings;

j. a waste slurry tank for receiving crushed rock from said rock crusher and tailings from said mill;

1. a waste slurry separating tank at said ground surface;

m. a fermentation tank at said ground surface;

n. a first transfer tube extending from said mining level to said waste material separating tank;

0. a pump at the lower end of said first transfer tube;

p. a conveying tube extending from said waste slurry tank to the pump at the lower end of said transfer tube;

q. a second transfer tube extending from said mining level to said fermentation tank at the ground surface and including a pump at the lower end thereof;

r. mechanical connections between said pumps at the lower end of said transfer tubes and said turbine; s. a second conveying tube extending from said mill to the pump at the lower end of said second transfer tube;

t. a water line extending from said underground reservoir to said second conveying tube to introduce water thereinto for mixing with the ore concentrate from said mill, and

u. return conduits extending from said separator tank and said fermentation tank to said surface reser-

Claims

1. In a mine formed in the ground and presenting a ground surface and a mining level, an hydraulic mining system comprising: a. a surface reservoir at said ground surface; b. an underground reservoir at said mining level; c. a downflow tube extending from said surface reservoir to said underground reservoir; d. a turbine in said downflow tube; e. a return conduit extending from said underground reservoir to said surface reservoir; f. an electric motor driven pump in said return conduit; g. mining apparatus at said mining level; h. a rock crusher at said mining level for crushing waste rock generated by operation of said mining apparatus; i. a mill at said mining level for reducing mineral containing ore into a form in which it is adapted to be incorporated into a slurry and which creates tailings; j. a waste slurry tank receiving crushed rock from said rock crusher and tailings from said mill; k. a conduit extending from said underground reservoir to said waste slurry tank to supply the water necessary for a slurry Thereto; l. a mineral containing ore slurry tank receiving ground ore from said mill; m. a conduit extending from said underground reservoir to said mineral ore containing slurry tank to supply slurry water thereto; n. a waste slurry separating tank at said ground surface; o. a separator for mineral containing ore slurry at said ground surface; p. a transfer tube extending from said mining level to said ground surface; q. a pump at the lower end of said transfer tube; r. mechanical connections between said pump at the lower end of said transfer tube and said turbine; s. a conveying tube extending from said mineral containing ore slurry tank to said pump at the lower end of said transfer tube; t. a control valve in said conveying tube; u. a second conveying tube extending from said waste slurry tank to said pump at the lower end of said transfer tube; v. a control valve in said second conveying tube; w. a two-way valve in the upper end of said transfer tube; x. branch tubes extending from said two-way valve to said separator tanks, and y. a return conduit extending from said separator tanks to said surface reservoir.

3. In a mine formed in the ground and presenting a ground surface and a mining level, an hydraulic mining system comprising: a. a surface reservoir at said ground surface; b. an underground reservoir at said mining level; c. a downflow tube extending from said surface reservoir to said underground reservoir; d. a turbine in said downflow tube; e. a return conduit extending from said underground reservoir to said surface reservoir; f. an electric motor driven pump in said return conduit; g. mining apparatus at said mining level; h. a rock crusher at said mining level for crushing waste rock generated by operation of said mining apparatus; i. a mill at said mining level for reducing mineral containing ore into a form in which it is adapted to be incorporated into a slurry and which creates tailings; j. a waste slurry tank receiving crushed rock from said rock crusher and tailings from said mill; k. a conduit extending from said underground reservoir to said waste slurry tank to supply the water necessary for a slurry thereto; l. a mineral containing ore slurry tank receiving ground ore from said mill; m. a conduit extending from said underground reservoir to said mineral ore containing slurry tank to supply slurry water thereto; n. a waste slurry separating tank at said ground surface; o. a separator for mineral containing ore slurry at said ground surface; p. a transfer tube extending from said mining level to said waste slurry separator tank at said ground surface; q. a pump at the lower end of said transfer tube; r. mechanical connections between said pump at the lower end of said transfer tube and said turbine; s. a second transfer tube extending from said mining level to said mineral containing ore separator tank at said ground surface; t. a pump at the lower end of said second transfer tube; u. mechanical connections between the pump at the lower end of said second transfer tube and said turbine; v. a conveying tube extending from said waste slurry tank to said first mentioned pump; w. a second conveying tube extending from said mineral containing ore slurry tank to the pump at the lower end of said second transfer tube, and x. return conduits extending from said separator tanks to said surface reservoir.

4. In a mine formed in the ground and presenting a ground surface and a mining level, an hydraulic mining system comprising: a. a surface reservoir at said ground surface; b. an underground reservoir at said mining level; c. a dOwnflow tube extending from said surface reservoir to said underground reservoir; d. a turbine in said downflow tube; e. a return conduit extending from said underground reservoir to said surface reservoir; f. an electric motor driven pump in said return conduit; g. mining apparatus at said mining level; h. a rock crusher at said mining level for crushing waste rock generated by operation of said mining apparatus; i. a mill at said mining level for grinding mineral containing ore into ore concentrates adapted for fermentation in a micro-bacteriological process, and which grinding creates tailings; j. a waste slurry tank receiving crush rock from said rock crusher and tailings from said mill; k. a conduit extending from said underground reservoir to said waste slurry tank to supply the water necessary for a slurry thereto; l. a fermentation tank at the mining level receiving ore concentrates from said mill; m. a conduit extending from said underground reservoir to said fermentation tank to supply water thereto; n. a water slurry separating tank at said ground surface; o. a fermented material separator tank at said ground surface; p. a transfer tube extending from said mining level to said ground surface; q. a pump at the lower end of said transfer tube; r. mechanical connections between said pump at the lower end of said transfer tube and said turbine; s. a conveying tube extending from said fermentation tank to said pump at the lower end of said transfer tube; t. a control valve in said conveying tube; u. a second conveying tube extending from said waste slurry tank to said pump; v. a control valve in said second conveying tube; w. a two-way valve in the upper end of said transfer tube; x. branch tubes extending from said two-way valve to said separator tanks, and y. a return conduit extending from said separator tanks to said surface reservoir.

5. The hydraulic mining system of claim 4 in which the fermentation tank at the mining level is of a comparatively small capacity and merely initiates the fermentation process, with the transfer tube having a capacity to substantially complete the fermentation process.

6. In a mine formed in the ground and presenting a ground surface and a mining level, an hydraulic mining system comprising: a. a surface reservoir at said ground surface; b. an underground reservoir at said mining level; c. a downflow tube extending from said surface reservoir to said underground reservoir; d. a turbine in said downflow tube; e. a return conduit extending from said underground reservoir to said surface reservoir; f. an electric motor driven pump in said return conduit; g. mining apparatus at said mining level; h. a rock crusher at said mining level for crushing waste rock generated by operation of said mining apparatus; i. a reducing mill at said mining level for converting mineral containing ore into condition for fermentation in a micro-bacteriological process and for creating tailings; j. a waste slurry tank for receiving crushed rock from said rock crusher and tailings from said mill; k. a conduit extending from said underground reservoir to said waste slurry tank to supply the water necessary for a slurry thereto; l. a waste slurry separating tank at said ground surface; m. a fermentation tank at said ground surface; n. a first transfer tube extending from said mining level to said waste material separating tank; o. a pump at the lower end of said first transfer tube; p. a conveying tube extending from said waste slurry tank to the pump at the lower end of said transfer tube; q. a second transfer tube extending from said mining level to said fermentation tank at the ground surface and including a pump at the lower end thereof; r. mechanical connections between said pumps at the lower end of said transfer tubes and said turbIne; s. a second conveying tube extending from said mill to the pump at the lower end of said second transfer tube; t. a water line extending from said underground reservoir to said second conveying tube to introduce water thereinto for mixing with the ore concentrate from said mill, and u. return conduits extending from said separator tank and said fermentation tank to said surface reservoir.