A new technology of controlled solution mining for salt deposits

Solution mining technology is widely adopted in the salt deposit mining industry. With an analysis of the solution mining technologies currently adopted, a new technology of multi-well hydraulic fracturing and controlled solution mining is introduced in this paper, including its technical mechanism and the successful application in the mining of mirabilite in YunCheng Salt Lake, China. The engineering practice proved that the new technology for salt deposit mining is not only technically feasible, but also capable of significantly increasing the mining ratio and the production efficiency, thus minimizing the production cost. Consequently, the paper concludes that the technology of multi-well hydraulic fracturing and controlled solution mining for salt deposit is a more effective technology and deserves wider adoption.