A method and system for in-situ mining of deep seams in a submerged environment
By constructing a flooded environment in deep mineral layers and utilizing underwater mining robots for high-pressure water jet rock breaking and slurry ore body transportation, the problems of low efficiency, poor safety, and high cost in deep mineral layer mining have been solved, achieving efficient and safe resource recovery.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CHONGQING UNIV
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies for deep mining suffer from problems such as low mining efficiency, severe equipment wear, high risk of geological disasters, high mining costs, and low resource recovery rate. In particular, they cannot effectively control the stability of rock formations and the emission of harmful gases under high temperature and high pressure environments.
By creating a submerged environment in deep mineral layers, underwater mining robots are used for mining. High-pressure water jets are used to break up rocks and transport slurry-like ore bodies. Combined with a water-air mixing and lifting system and a resource washing and separation system, safe and efficient in-situ mining is achieved.
It improves the safety and efficiency of deep mining, reduces equipment wear and operating costs, reduces the risk of geological disasters, and enables the recovery of high-purity resources.
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Figure CN120649900B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of solid resource extraction technology, and in particular to a method and system for in-situ mining of deep mineral layers in a flooded environment, applicable to mining operations in deep mineral layers. Background Technology
[0002] China is rich in mineral resources and has a long history of mining. Today, it has built a complete industrial system covering exploration, mining, transportation and processing. China is the world's largest coal producer and consumer, with proven recoverable reserves of 143.197 billion tons. In 2025, my country's largest single bauxite deposit was discovered in Xiaoyi, Shanxi, with an additional resource of 108 million tons. Pyrite often exists in coal seams in the form of nodules or layers, especially in the coal-bearing strata of the southwest region (Guizhou and Yunnan).
[0003] With economic development, the demand for coal and other mineral resources continues to grow, while shallow resources are gradually decreasing. Therefore, it is necessary to explore deeper resources to meet energy demands. Deep coal and other mineral resources are abundant, with deep coal resources buried at depths of 2000-4000 meters accounting for as much as 58.95%, far exceeding shallow resources, indicating enormous development potential. Furthermore, deep resource mining is of significant strategic importance for improving my country's energy self-sufficiency rate, ensuring national energy security, and reducing dependence on imported energy.
[0004] Deep mining differs from resource extraction in shallow strata, presenting numerous technical and economic challenges. Deep strata exhibit greater complexity in terms of formation temperature, stress, structure, and hydrogeological conditions, leading to more uncertainties. The formation and enrichment mechanisms of gas reservoirs are also more intricate, posing unprecedented challenges to traditional extraction technologies. Deep gas development demands higher technical standards for drilling, fracturing, and depressurization, requiring specialized design and construction tailored to the specific conditions of deep strata. Deep coal mining also faces technical challenges such as deep support and ventilation. Furthermore, deep mining is more costly, including equipment investment, technology development, and operational costs, making it less economically viable than shallow mining. Effective cost control measures are essential for commercial development.
[0005] In recent years, with the increasing demand for deep geological resource extraction, various parties have taken a series of measures to address the challenges of extraction. Technically, relevant research teams have increased investment in research and development to overcome key technologies. Precision detection technology can accurately grasp the geological conditions of deep formations, providing a basis for extraction. Anchor-injection-spraying coordinated support and deep soft rock engineering coupled support technologies have solved the problem of roadway support. Deep well full-section hard rock tunneling technology and equipment, as well as integrated tunneling, support, and transportation rapid excavation technology, have improved the efficiency of deep mining. For hazardous gas control, a coordinated approach from above and below ground is adopted, shifting towards a model that prioritizes surface drilling with underground drilling as a supplement. Long boreholes are used for multiple purposes, reducing the risks of underground drilling. For water hazard control, a "surface-based, underground-assisted" model is promoted, such as the intelligent surface grouting support system at Zhaogu No. 1 Mine.
[0006] Existing technologies include solutions for fluidized bed transportation in deep strata mining, such as "An Underwater Mobile Mining and Conveying Device" (application number CN 115059464 A) and "A Deep Coal Fluidized Pipeline Transportation System" (application publication number CN 113404490 A). However, these solutions address the existing groundwater environment in the deep strata, which presents numerous safety risks, increasing the risks of deep strata mining. This is because natural groundwater is fragmented by fault networks, resulting in multi-path, turbulent flow directions that are difficult to simulate and predict. The water quality is complex, containing high concentrations of minerals and trace heavy metals, which can corrode equipment and contaminate ore. Furthermore, disturbing confined aquifers during deep mining can trigger sudden drops in water levels and ground subsidence, damaging infrastructure and disrupting transportation routes. High-stress zones combined with water pressure fluctuations can easily lead to "multi-layer water pressure failure," causing roof collapse or tunnel flooding. These technologies only address the mining and transportation operations of the main equipment in naturally aquifer strata. However, they do not provide a comprehensive solution for the high-temperature and high-low-pressure geological environment of deep strata. They do not consider the impact of ground pressure on the safe operation of equipment and the stability of coal seams, the wear and failure of cutting tools during mechanical cutting of coal seams, or the damage to equipment caused by the softening and instability of the coal seam roof when exposed to water. They also do not consider the geological conditions of the deposit, which may lead to high mining costs, large amounts of harmful gas emissions, and many safety accidents, resulting in poor mining results.
[0007] In general, the limitations of existing technologies in deep mining are as follows: 1. Mining Efficiency and Economy: Deep resource mining faces complex environments, including high formation temperatures, high ground stress, and complex hydrogeological conditions. This increases the requirements for well construction, necessitating specialized deep support and ventilation, which exacerbates equipment wear and reduces mining efficiency. The high cost and environmental impact of deep mining are challenges that current technologies struggle to overcome, resulting in high extraction costs.
[0008] 2. Safety and Environmental Protection: In the high-temperature and high-pressure environment of deep strata, traditional mining methods cannot effectively control the stability of rock formations caused by pressure relief during mining. The softening and instability of the ore roof upon contact with water can lead to equipment damage, increasing the risk of geological disasters. Furthermore, the emission of harmful gases, dust pollution, tailings treatment, and water hazard control during the mining process have not been effectively resolved, affecting the continuity, safety, and economy of mining operations. Summary of the Invention
[0009] Based on a deep understanding of the shortcomings of existing technologies, this application proposes a novel in-situ mining method and system for deep mineral formations in flooded environments. The aim is to overcome the aforementioned technical challenges and solve the technical problems of low mining efficiency, severe equipment wear, difficulty in preventing geological disasters, and low resource recovery rate in existing deep mineral formation mining technologies, thereby improving the safety, efficiency, and economy of deep mineral resource mining.
[0010] The technical solution of this application is as follows: This application proposes a method for in-situ mining of deep mineral formations in a flooded environment. In a deep solid resource environment, water is injected into the wellbore to create a suitable, safe, and efficient flooded environment for mining. An underwater mining robot is used for mining operations, and the solid resources are converted into a slurry, which is then collected and separated via a transport pipeline. The method includes the following steps: (1) Drilling: Drill to form a large-diameter vertical shaft and horizontal shaft that match the depth of the target ore layer, and cement the shaft to ensure that the height of the top plate of the horizontal shaft is adapted to the height of the underwater mining robot. The underwater mining robot is then lowered and connected to the water-gas lifting system. Here, drilling technology is used to form a shaft structure that matches the depth of the target ore layer, ensuring that the underwater mining robot can enter smoothly and carry out operations, thereby improving the stability and safety of the shaft structure.
[0011] (2) Pressurization to create a high-pressure environment: After pressurizing the wellbore, the wellhead is sealed to provide a high-pressure environment inside the wellbore. The pressure range is greater than the rock closure pressure but less than the rock fracturing pressure, so that the roof is in a stable pressure state and the underground is sealed, forming a suitable pressure gradient to facilitate the mining operation of the underwater mining robot. The core purpose of creating a high-pressure environment is to stabilize the roof rock strata, suppress fluid flow, and ensure the safety of sealed operations by actively controlling the annular pressure, thereby creating safe and efficient mining conditions for the underwater mining robot. By precisely controlling the pressure between the rock closure pressure and the fracturing pressure, the stress of the overlying rock strata can be effectively offset, preventing the roof from collapsing or the expansion of fissures due to stress release. This pressure range ensures that the rock strata are in an elastic compression state to avoid rock strata closure deformation, and also avoids the generation of hydraulic fractures due to overpressure. In addition, the high-pressure environment can suppress the risk of formation fluid intrusion and surge, forming a positive pressure barrier, so that the liquid column pressure in the wellbore is continuously higher than the formation pore pressure, blocking groundwater, gas or pollutants from flowing into the working area through fissures, and ensuring the safety of robot operation. A stable high-pressure gradient can regulate the flow pattern of ore transportation, promote the uniform suspension of crushed ore particles in the pipeline, reduce the risk of sedimentation and blockage, and at the same time, the high-pressure environment suppresses water flow turbulence, reducing disturbances to robot positioning and collection.
[0012] (3) Water injection to create a flooded environment: Connect the screening system outside the wellhead to the underground water and gas lifting system, inject water into the annulus inside the well casing until a flooded environment is formed. The water level in the horizontal well section is close to the top of the ore layer to simulate suitable mining conditions.
[0013] Through the above three steps, a flooded environment is artificially constructed in the target deep mineral layer. This artificially pressurized and water-injected fully flooded environment is different from the natural environment where groundwater is partially flooded. The flooded environment artificially constructed by this method can balance part of the ground pressure through the static pressure of water, alleviate the degree of stress concentration, reduce the impact of stress changes on rock mass stability, reduce safety accidents such as harmful gas outbursts, and prevent disasters such as dust and harmful gas explosions, thus ensuring safe underground operations.
[0014] (4) Mining and support: The underwater mining robot performs mining and water jet crushing of the ore body. After mining, the support is carried out at the location that needs support based on the monitored dynamic response of the surrounding rock. The underwater mining robot sprays pre-stored concrete slurry onto the top plate of the ore body at high pressure to form a cemented layer as mining support in the submerged environment. When supporting, the setting time of the concrete slurry is controlled to match the displacement of the top plate to carry out immediate support and realize continuous mining production line operation. The high-pressure water for water jet rock breaking is obtained by water injection pipeline from the submerged environment.
[0015] (5) Slurry-like ore body: The crushed ore body is collected and pumped by the underwater mining robot and crushed into slurry-like ore body. The screening mechanism inside the mining robot screens and filters according to the particle size of the ore body. Small volume ore body enters the conveying pipeline through the screening screen and is directly transported in a fluid state. Large volume ore body is screened and filtered, and then crushed by the crushing mechanism before entering the conveying pipeline.
[0016] (6) Water-gas mixing and lifting, screening: The slurry ore body enters the water-gas mixing and lifting system through the pipeline. Under high pressure, it is drawn to the wellhead and the screening system is used for resource washing and separation to realize the recovery of high-purity resources.
[0017] The above technical solution provides a complete in-situ mining method for deep ore layers under submerged conditions, covering key aspects such as the construction of the submerged environment, underwater mining, ore body slurry transportation, and resource washing and separation. It represents a revolutionary deep-earth mining method. This deep submerged environment rock breaking method offers numerous advantages over conventional water jet mining. Under submerged conditions, rock breaking operations have a sufficient water supply, maintaining efficient rock breaking. Furthermore, the incompressibility of water and its confinement effect on the jet reduce energy transfer losses and prevent excessive jet diffusion, allowing energy to be more concentrated on the rock surface, significantly improving rock breaking efficiency. The hydraulic fracturing mechanism under submerged conditions achieves continuous energy supply through a self-sustaining fluid medium. The lubrication and cooling effects under submerged conditions significantly reduce the wear and failure rate of mechanical cutting tools, thus eliminating the need for periodic replacement and maintenance. In terms of preventing hazards such as harmful gases, dust, and rockbursts, the static pressure of water can balance some of the ground pressure, alleviate stress concentration, reduce the impact of stress changes on rock mass stability, and reduce safety accidents such as harmful gas outbursts. Additionally, water under submerged conditions can prevent dust and harmful gas explosions, ensuring safe underground operations. In the field of deep-earth resource extraction, the integrated technology of "in-situ crushing in submerged environment - pipeline transportation - surface separation" can better adapt to the high temperature and high pressure environment at depth, reduce a lot of well construction costs, alleviate the impact of high temperature on equipment through the cooling effect of water, reduce the probability of equipment damage, extend the service life of equipment, and make it easier to achieve automated and intelligent control for continuous mining, thereby reducing operating costs.
[0018] Preferably, the concrete slurry used in the mining method contains lightweight aggregate, which has a density less than water. This allows it to form a buoyancy layer underwater, enabling the cementitious layer to float on the water surface. This effectively isolates the cementitious layer of the top slab concrete from direct contact with water, preventing water from damaging the cementitious quality of the concrete and causing the top slab to collapse. The lightweight aggregate concrete comprises lightweight aggregate, cementitious material (cement), water, and admixtures. Its density is 800-1000 kg / m³ (dry apparent density), compressive strength is 25-50 MPa, tensile strength is 3-10 MPa, elastic modulus is 50-70% of the same strength grade, freeze-thaw resistance reaches F300 grade, and impermeability is P12 grade.
[0019] Preferably, the underwater mining robot cuts the ore layer with a high-pressure jet to produce a broken ore body. Its collection device breaks up large ore bodies with the mining head and draws water flow. The solid resources are collected in a fluid mixture through the collection pipe. Small ore bodies can be directly sent to the conveying pipeline through the screening screen. Large ore bodies are filtered by the screening screen and then crushed by the crushing mechanism before flowing into the conveying pipeline.
[0020] Preferably, the water-air ratio is dynamically adjusted during the water-air mixing and lifting process to optimize air lift efficiency and conveying stability, ensuring that ore particles are uniformly suspended in the closed pipeline and efficiently conveyed to the surface washing and beneficiation stage. Specifically, the water-air ratio is dynamically adjusted according to changes in ore particle size and concentration. This method overcomes the problems of high wear, high energy consumption, and easy blockage in traditional mechanical conveying, improving the efficiency and stability of ore conveying.
[0021] Another aspect of this application provides a submerged jet solid resource in-situ slurry extraction and transportation system to realize the aforementioned mining method. The system includes: a deep ore layer submerged environment construction system, an underwater mining robot, a water-air mixing and lifting system, and a resource washing and separation system. The deep ore layer submerged environment construction system is used to construct a submerged environment at the deep ore layer location by drilling, pressurizing, and injecting water into the wellbore. The underwater mining robot is used to perform mining operations in the deep ore layer submerged environment, while simultaneously providing support, using high-pressure water jets to break the rock of the target ore layer, collecting the ore body, and converting it in-situ into a slurry-like ore body. The water-air mixing and lifting system connects the underwater mining robot and the resource washing and separation system, lifting the slurry-like ore body through water-air mixing and pumping it to the wellhead under high pressure. The resource washing and separation system is located at the wellhead and is used to separate and purify the slurry-like ore body transported by the water-air mixing and lifting system, achieving high-purity resource recovery.
[0022] Preferably, the deep ore layer flooding environment construction system includes a drilling rig, a wellhead pressurization device, and a water injection device. The drilling rig is used to drill and form large-diameter vertical and horizontal wells matching the depth of the target ore layer, and then cements the well to ensure that the roof height of the horizontal well is compatible with the height of the underwater mining robot. The wellhead pressurization device is used to pressurize the wellbore and seal the wellhead, providing a high-pressure environment inside the wellbore, maintaining a stable pressure on the roof, ensuring a sealed environment, and creating a suitable pressure gradient. The water injection device is used to inject water into the annulus inside the casing of the wellbore until the water level in the horizontal section approaches the roof of the ore layer, thus creating a flooding environment. Therefore, through the synergistic action of the drilling rig, the wellhead pressurization device, and the water injection device, a flooding environment for the deep ore layer is constructed. The drilling rig forms the wellbore structure, the wellhead pressurization device provides a high-pressure environment, and the water injection device creates the flooding conditions; the combined action of these three components achieves the construction of a flooding environment for the deep ore layer, ensuring that the underwater mining robot can operate in a suitable flooding environment, improving mining efficiency and safety.
[0023] Preferably, the underwater mining robot includes a jet rock-breaking mechanism, a grouting mechanism, a mining and conveying mechanism, and a migration mechanism mounted on its body.
[0024] The grouting mechanism includes a grout silo, a pressurizing pump, a grouting pipeline, and a grouting nozzle connected in sequence. The grout silo draws in concrete grout and pressurizes it through the pressurizing pump. The concrete grout is then sprayed through the grouting pipeline and the grouting nozzle onto the top of the ore layer for support operations.
[0025] The jet rock-breaking mechanism includes a jet nozzle, a pressurizing pump, a water injection pipeline, and a water pump. The jet rock-breaking mechanism draws in flooded ambient water through the water pump, then pressurizes it to form high-pressure water, which is then transported through the water injection pipeline to the jet nozzle to break the ore body through jet.
[0026] The mining and conveying mechanism includes a connected mining head, a collection pipe, a screening screen, a crushing mechanism, and a conveying pipeline. The mining head is responsible for collecting the ore body after jet crushing. After the large ore body is crushed once, it is conveyed to the screening screen through the collection pipe. The ore body flows to two branches. Small-volume ore blocks are directly conveyed through the conveying pipeline, while large-volume ore blocks are crushed a second time by the crushing mechanism and then conveyed through the conveying pipeline.
[0027] The migration mechanism provides power to the underwater mining robot to move in the horizontal well section.
[0028] The underwater mining robot integrates multiple functions such as collection, crushing, conveying, migration and support. Through various devices on its body, it achieves efficient crushing and slurry formation of the ore body, improves the functional integration and operational efficiency of the underwater mining robot, simplifies the mining operation process and reduces mining costs.
[0029] The mining method and system described in this application construct a submerged environment in deep ore layers and utilize in-situ mining technology within this submerged environment. By constructing the submerged environment, the static pressure of the water can partially balance the ground pressure, reducing the impact of stress changes on rock mass stability and minimizing safety accidents such as harmful gas outbursts. The artificial submerged environment can proactively transform risks into controllable parameters. Artificial water injection stabilizes water level fluctuations, and customized low-mineral water quality reduces corrosion risks. A sensor network monitors anomalies in real time and responds automatically. Simultaneously, the water used for jet crushing is directly drawn from the submerged environment, and the crushed slurry is pumped to the surface, reducing external water supply and wastewater treatment costs. Furthermore, the high-pressure water jet rock breaking operation has an ample water supply, reducing tool wear. The integrated technology of "in-situ crushing in the submerged environment - pipeline transportation - surface separation" significantly reduces well construction costs, facilitates automation and intelligent control for continuous mining, and lowers operating costs.
[0030] The specific advantages of this application are as follows: 1. A unique submerged environment is constructed to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the mining robot underground. A pressurization device is installed at the wellhead to provide high pressure inside the wellbore. The appropriate operating pressure is adjusted so that the underground operating pressure is greater than the rock closure pressure but less than the rock fracturing pressure, keeping the roof in a stable pressure state. After the appropriate pressure gradient and the sprayed concrete action of the underwater mining robot's grouting support system, the rock roof is ensured to remain hard and stable during operation, preventing rock softening caused by the submerged environment and rock loosening caused by mining pressure relief.
[0031] 2. The flooded environment provides a sufficient water supply, which can improve the efficiency of water jet crushing of ore bodies, reduce production costs, and maintain a high-efficiency rock breaking state. Furthermore, the lubrication and cooling effects based on the flooded working conditions can significantly reduce the wear and failure rate of mechanical tools, thereby eliminating the need for periodic replacement and maintenance.
[0032] 3. Effectively prevent geological disasters such as harmful gases, dust, and rock bursts. The mining robot is in a completely submerged environment with artificial water injection, which is different from the partial submersion of groundwater in the natural environment. The static pressure of the water can balance part of the ground pressure, alleviate the degree of stress concentration, reduce the impact of stress changes on the stability of the rock mass, reduce safety accidents such as harmful gas outbursts, and prevent disasters such as dust and harmful gas explosions, ensuring safe underground operations.
[0033] 4. Achieve real-time intelligent sensing and control of downhole operations. Through a multi-dimensional sensor network, collect downhole environmental parameters, equipment operating status and resource processing data in real time, and build a dynamic digital model to achieve transparent monitoring of the entire process. Attached Figure Description
[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary in-situ mining system for deep mineral deposits in a flooded environment, as described in this application. Figure 2 The flowchart illustrates an in-situ mining method for deep mineral deposits in a flooded environment, which is an example of this application.
[0035] Reference numerals: 1. Mining head; 2. Collection pipe; 3. Screening screen; 4. Crushing mechanism; 5. Conveying pipeline; 6. Water pump; 7. Migration mechanism; 8. Concrete silo; 9. Booster pump I; 10. Grouting pipeline; 11. Grouting nozzle; 12. Booster pump II; 13. Water injection pipeline; 14. Jet nozzle; 15. Lifting pipe; 16. Casing; 17. Water tank; 18. Wellhead pressurization device; 19. Valve; 20. Flow meter; 21. Resource washing and separation system; 22. Power plant; 23. Cable; 24. Centrifugal pump. Detailed Implementation
[0036] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0037] For example, such as Figure 1 As shown, the in-situ mining system for deep mineral layers under submerged conditions includes a deep mineral layer submerged environment construction system, an underwater mining robot, a water-air mixing and lifting system, and a resource washing and separation system.
[0038] For example, a deep mineral strata flooding environment construction system includes a drilling rig, a wellhead pressurization device, and a water injection device.
[0039] The drilling equipment is used to drill and form large-diameter vertical and horizontal wells that match the depth of the target ore layer, and to cement the wells to ensure that the height of the top plate of the horizontal well is adapted to the height of the underwater mining robot.
[0040] For example, the wellhead pressurization device 18 can adopt a conventional device structure in the art, such as including valve 19, hydraulic / pneumatic drive system, multi-stage sealing ring, pressure sensor, etc., to pressurize the wellbore and seal the wellhead, provide a high-pressure environment inside the wellbore, keep the top plate in a stable pressure state, ensure downhole sealing, and form a suitable pressure gradient.
[0041] Similarly, the water injection device can also adopt conventional device structures in the field, such as including a water tank 17, a regulating valve, a controller, a water injection pump, a check valve, a water level sensor, etc., for injecting water into the annulus inside the casing of the wellbore until the water level in the horizontal well section is close to the top of the ore layer, forming a flooded environment.
[0042] By working together with the drilling equipment, wellhead pressurization equipment and water injection equipment, a flooded environment is created in the deep mineral layer, which can ensure that the underwater mining robot can operate in a suitable flooded environment, thereby improving mining efficiency and safety.
[0043] For example, an underwater mining robot includes a mining head 1, a collection pipe 2, a screening screen 3, a crushing mechanism 4, a conveying pipeline 5, a water pump 6, a migration mechanism 7, a concrete silo 8, a pressurizing pump 9, a water injection pipeline 13, a grouting pipeline 10, a grouting nozzle 11, a jet nozzle 14, etc., which together constitute a jet rock breaking mechanism, a grouting mechanism, a mining and conveying mechanism, and a migration mechanism.
[0044] The grouting mechanism includes a concrete silo 8, a pressure pump 9, a grouting pipeline 10, and a grouting nozzle 11 connected in sequence. The concrete silo 8 draws concrete and pressurizes it through the pressure pump 9. The concrete is then sprayed through the grouting pipeline 10 and the grouting nozzle 11 onto the top of the mine seam for support operations.
[0045] The jet rock-breaking mechanism includes a jet nozzle 14, a pressurizing pump II 12, a water injection pipeline 13, and a water pump 6. The jet rock-breaking mechanism draws in ambient water through the water pump 6, which is then pressurized by the pressurizing pump II 12 to form high-pressure water, which is then transported through the water injection pipeline 13 to the jet nozzle 14 to break up the ore body through jet.
[0046] The mining and conveying mechanism includes a connected mining head 1, a collection pipe 2, a screening screen 3, a crushing mechanism 4, and a conveying pipeline 5. The mining head 1 is responsible for collecting the ore body after jet crushing. After the large ore body is crushed once, it is conveyed to the screening screen 3 by the collection pipe 2. The ore body flows to two branches. Small ore blocks are directly conveyed through the conveying pipeline 5, while large ore blocks are crushed a second time by the crushing mechanism 4 and then conveyed through the conveying pipeline 5.
[0047] The migration mechanism 7 provides power to the underwater mining robot to move in the horizontal well section.
[0048] The underwater mining robot with the above structure can move and transport minerals on the reservoir surface in a flooded environment. The migration mechanism 7 has a power mechanism that provides power to the entire device, enabling the mining and transport device to move and cut the ore layer on the reservoir surface. The concrete silo 8 stores concrete slurry. Before cutting the ore layer, the concrete slurry is passed through the grouting pipe 10 and the pressurization pump 9 to form a high-pressure slurry, which is then sprayed out by the grouting nozzle 11 and cemented onto the top plate of the ore layer. The sprayed concrete can cement the original cracks in the top plate and reduce the adverse effects of the flooded environment on the top plate, maintaining the stability of the top plate. After the preparatory work before cutting the ore layer is completed, water jetting is used to break the ore body. The water injection pipe 13 can draw water from the flooded environment through the water pump 6, which is pressurized by the pressurization pump 12 and then sprayed out from the jet nozzle 14 to break the ore layer with high-pressure water. The mined ore body falls into the water. The mining head 1 draws in the water flow and breaks the ore body in one step. The collection pipe 2 collects the fluid mixture of solid resources. After the ore body is cut, the resulting ore bodies are of different volumes. Small ore bodies can be directly fed into the conveying pipeline 5 through the screening screen 3. Large ore bodies are filtered by the screening screen and then flow through the crushing mechanism to be crushed and then flow into the conveying pipeline. The conveying pipeline 5 is connected to the oil pipe 15 and flows towards the wellhead through the action of the centrifugal pump 24.
[0049] For example, the water-air mixing lifting system includes a lift pipe 15, a centrifugal pump 24, and a flow meter 20. Under high-pressure submerged conditions, the water-air mixing lifting system dynamically adjusts the water-air mixing ratio to adapt to changes in ore particle size and concentration, effectively overcoming the problems of high wear, high energy consumption, and easy clogging inherent in traditional mechanical conveying. Simultaneously, in conjunction with an intelligent control system, it optimizes airlift efficiency and conveying stability in real time, ensuring that ore particles are uniformly suspended in the closed pipeline and efficiently transported to the surface washing and beneficiation stage, thus balancing the continuity, safety, and economic requirements of mining operations under complex geological conditions. After the underwater mining robot jets and breaks the rock, the broken ore body flows towards the wellhead through the suction of the centrifugal pump in the water-air mixing lifting system.
[0050] For example, the resource washing and separation system 21 is deployed at the wellhead. It precisely separates and purifies the slurry of ore transported to the surface by the water-air mixing and lifting system through multi-stage physical or chemical separation technology. The system dynamically adjusts separation conditions using parameters such as density differences, particle size distribution, or mineral surface characteristics to efficiently remove impurities and associated minerals from the ore, achieving high-purity enrichment of the target resource and simultaneous recovery of multiple categories. This system can adaptively adjust the operating parameters of the separation equipment based on mineral composition data from intelligent sensing feedback. Through the coupling of processes such as hydrocyclone, flotation, magnetic separation, or chemical leaching, it not only maximizes resource recovery but also environmentally treats and recycles waste slag and wastewater generated during mining, ultimately forming concentrate products that meet industrial standards. Simultaneously, it supports green and resource-based closed-loop management of the entire resource mining process.
[0051] Preferably, this system can also be configured with an intelligent sensing and control system. This system uses a multi-dimensional sensor network to collect real-time data on downhole environmental parameters, equipment operating status, and resource processing procedures. It deeply integrates multi-source information such as water pressure, temperature, ore slurry formation process, gas-liquid mixing ratio, and support structure stress to construct a dynamic digital model for transparent monitoring of the entire process. The wellhead pressurization pump provides high pressure to the wellbore, adjusting the operating pressure to be greater than the rock closure pressure but less than the rock fracturing pressure. This ensures the roof remains under stable pressure. With a suitable pressure gradient and the sprayed concrete action of the underwater mining robot's grouting support system, the system ensures the rock roof remains hard and stable during operation, preventing rock softening caused by the flooded environment and rock loosening caused by mining pressure relief. The flow meter 20 can monitor the ratio and corresponding flow rate of the gas and solid phases in the slurry-formed solid resources in real time. The solid-liquid separator can separate the resources, facilitating purification and extraction.
[0052] In addition, the system is also equipped with a power system, through which the power plant 22 transmits electricity from the power plant 22 to various systems such as the deep mineral layer flooding environment construction system, underwater mining robot, water-air mixing and lifting system, and resource washing and separation system.
[0053] The following section provides a detailed description of the method for realizing the slurry-based mining of submerged jet solid resources using the aforementioned system.
[0054] For example, see Figure 2 The submerged jet solid resource slurry extraction method mainly includes the following steps: The first step is drilling: drilling to form a large-diameter vertical shaft and horizontal shaft matching the depth of the target ore layer, and using casing cementing to ensure that the top height of the horizontal shaft is adapted to the height of the underwater mining robot. The underwater mining robot is then lowered and connected to the water-gas lifting system, and the diameter and size of the lift pipe 15 are determined. Here, drilling technology is used to form a shaft structure that matches the depth of the target ore layer, ensuring that the underwater mining robot can smoothly enter and carry out operations, and improving the stability and safety of the shaft structure.
[0055] The second step is to pressurize and create a high-pressure environment: a pressurizing device 18 is installed at the wellhead to pressurize the wellbore and provide sufficient pressure. Then, the wellhead is sealed through valve 19 to provide a high-pressure environment inside the wellbore. The pressure range is greater than the rock closure pressure but less than the rock fracturing pressure, so that the roof is in a stable pressure state and the underground is sealed, forming a suitable pressure gradient to facilitate the mining operation of the underwater mining robot.
[0056] In this step, the rock closure pressure P c The minimum pressure required to prevent the rock strata from cracking is approximately 1.2 to 1.5 times the pressure gradient of the overlying strata (22.62 kPa / m), i.e.: Pc =(1.2∼1.5)×22.62× H (kPa). Rock fracturing pressure P f The critical pressure for the formation of new fractures in rock strata is determined by the formation fracture pressure gradient, generally ranging from 0.015 to 0.025 MPa / m (i.e., 15 to 25 kPa / m). The pressure gradient must satisfy the following condition: closure pressure gradient < set gradient < fracture initiation pressure gradient. At depths of 1500 to 2000 meters, the closure pressure gradient is approximately 18 to 27 kPa / m, and the fracture initiation pressure gradient is approximately 15 to 25 kPa / m. Therefore, the actual set gradient needs to be controlled between 18 and 25 kPa / m, closer to the lower limit, to prioritize roof stability.
[0057] The third step is to inject water to create a flooded environment: the device connecting the wellhead section connects the resource washing and separation system 21 outside the wellhead to the underground water and gas lifting system, injects water into the annulus inside the casing 16 of the wellbore until the water level in the horizontal well is close to the height of the top plate, and then stops injecting water to form a flooded environment, simulating the mining of the seam under the flooded environment conditions underground.
[0058] Through the above three steps, the artificial flooding environment in the deep target ore layer is constructed. This artificially pressurized and water-injected fully flooded environment is different from the natural environment where groundwater is partially flooded. The flooded environment constructed by this method can balance part of the ground pressure through the static pressure of water, alleviate the degree of stress concentration, reduce the impact of stress changes on the stability of the rock mass, reduce safety accidents such as the outburst of harmful gases, and prevent disasters such as dust and harmful gas explosions, thus ensuring safe underground operations.
[0059] Step 4, Mining and Support: Underwater mining robots are used for mining, and water jetting is employed to break up the ore body. Water injection pipeline 13 draws water from the submerged environment and, through the injection pipeline, pressurizes it via booster pump 12 to spray high-pressure water to break up the ore layer. During mining, the jet pressure and flow rate are dynamically matched according to the coal and rock characteristics. The jet shape and nozzle status are monitored by optical sensors to determine the agglomeration length and turbulence intensity, maintaining impact focus. Micro-vibration sensors monitor hardness and fracture density in real time. 3D scanning and image recognition monitor the crushing volume and particle size distribution. When the proportion of large particles exceeds the threshold, the crusher power is increased to 90% of the rated value, and feedback is used to adjust the jet parameters.
[0060] In this step, water jetting is used to break up the ore layer. The high-pressure water jet is extracted from the submerged environment through a water injection pipeline, optimizing the system structure, reducing energy consumption, and improving environmental adaptability and operational continuity. In deep geological environments, traditional surface pumping of high-pressure water requires overcoming enormous head, while directly extracting submerged water completely eliminates the need for vertical water delivery pipelines, reducing overall energy consumption by 40-50%. Simultaneously, because the water temperature and density in the working area are consistent with the ore body, jet cavitation anomalies caused by external water injection are avoided. Furthermore, continuous jetting in the submerged environment easily forms a "water cushion layer" on the ore body surface, weakening the impact force, which increases crushing efficiency compared to mechanical cutting. In addition, the jetting disrupts the stress balance of the ore body, and combined with the water wedge effect, expands the fracture network, significantly improving gas extraction efficiency. Therefore, by artificially constructing a flooded environment, the environment of deep-earth flooded water bodies is transformed into an integrated resource of "in-situ water intake - stress-coordinated crushing - closed-loop transportation". This simultaneously overcomes the three major bottlenecks of high-stress mining difficulties, large energy loss over long distances, and low efficiency, providing an irreplaceable technical path for deep-earth mining and achieving a dialectical unity between environmental resources and engineering goals.
[0061] Simultaneously, during mining, the dynamic response of the surrounding rock is monitored in real time. Based on the monitored dynamic response, shotcrete support is applied to areas requiring support after mining. Support is provided immediately after mining, with an underwater mining robot spraying pre-stored concrete slurry at high pressure onto the ore layer roof to form a cemented layer. This serves as mining support in submerged environments, enhancing roof stability and preventing softening due to water immersion. Shotcrete can cement the original cracks in the roof. The lightweight aggregate concrete used has a density less than water and floats on the water surface, ensuring the roof does not come into contact with the water and thus does not soften, maintaining roof stability. This is a special support method for mining in submerged environments. During support, the setting time of the concrete slurry is controlled to match the roof displacement, enabling continuous mining operations.
[0062] During support operations, spraying pressure and flow rate are key construction parameters. The target range for the high-pressure pump outlet pressure is 18–25 MPa, and flow rate fluctuations must be ≤5% to prevent insufficient pressure from causing loosening of the cementitious layer or overpressure from triggering the expansion of cracks in the roof slab. Shotcrete must achieve a balance between fluidity and bond strength. Slump should be negatively correlated with water flow velocity to prevent slurry erosion and positively correlated with crack development to ensure slurry penetration into micro-cracks. If the diffusion radius is insufficient, the water-reducing agent dosage should be increased or the water-cement ratio reduced.
[0063] The above-mentioned method of providing immediate support by controlling the setting time of the concrete slurry to match the displacement of the top slab specifically involves: controlling the setting time to match the displacement of the top slab; when the displacement rate of the top slab is >3mm / h, an accelerator needs to be added to shorten the initial setting time; when the displacement is stable, a retarder needs to be added to extend the initial setting time, ensuring that the slurry fully fills the cracks; if the displacement of the top slab continues to increase, a compensation layer needs to be sprayed.
[0064] Underwater mining robots use high-pressure sprayed concrete slurry to form a cementing layer on the top of the ore layer. Its core function is to overcome the constraints of the flooded environment on traditional support and to actively enhance the stability of the top layer: the cementing layer displaces the water film attached to the rock-water interface through high-pressure infiltration, forming a dense barrier to prevent water from contacting the rock mass and inhibiting the softening effect of water immersion; at the same time, the slurry penetrates into cracks ≥0.2mm, filling the original and mining-induced cracks to form a network shear-resistant structure, diffusing the local roof stress into a composite load-bearing body, and transforming the "load source" into a "load-bearing structure".
[0065] Thickeners such as cellulose ethers can be used in concrete to improve the scour resistance of the slurry and maintain its shape stability in environments with low flow rates; and alkali-free quick-setting agents can be added to overcome the delay in setting caused by water media, so as to achieve immediate support.
[0066] In this way, the traditional multi-step support process of "drilling → anchoring → meshing → shotcreting" is simplified into a single-step shotcreting, which shortens the support time by more than 60% and realizes continuous mining production line operation of "supporting as mining", providing a safe working environment for underwater mining robots.
[0067] Step 5: Slurry-forming ore body: After the jet cuts through the ore layer, a broken ore body is generated. This body is collected and pumped by the mining head 1 of the underwater mining robot and undergoes primary crushing to form a slurry-forming ore body. The internal screening mechanism of the mining robot filters the ore body according to its particle size. Small-volume ore bodies can directly enter the conveying pipeline through the screening screen 3, while large-volume ore bodies, after being filtered by the screening screen 3, flow through the crushing mechanism 4 for secondary crushing before flowing into the conveying pipeline. The function of the crushed ore body is to convert solid resources into slurry-forming resources for joint extraction.
[0068] Step 6: Water-air mixing and lifting, screening: The slurry-like ore body enters the water-air mixing and lifting system through the conveying pipeline. It flows towards the wellhead through the suction action of the centrifugal pump 24 of the water-air mixing and lifting system, and then flows to the resource washing and separation system 21 through the wellhead. The resource washing and separation system 21 uses multi-stage physical or chemical separation technology to accurately separate and purify the slurry-like ore body that is transported to the ground by the water-air mixing and lifting system.
[0069] In this step, the system responds in real-time to changes in ore particle size, solids concentration, and pipeline flow pattern during the water-air mixing and lifting process. It dynamically adjusts the water-air ratio to optimize lift efficiency and transport stability, ensuring that ore particles are uniformly suspended in the closed pipeline and efficiently transported to the surface washing stage. When the ore particle size increases or becomes unevenly distributed, the gas flow rate is automatically increased. This enhances the suspension capacity of coarse particles by increasing the turbulence intensity of the gas-liquid mixture, preventing sedimentation and pipe blockage. Conversely, if fine particles are predominant, the gas flow rate is reduced and the water flow ratio is increased. Liquid phase viscosity is used to inhibit fine particle agglomeration, reducing energy loss due to gas cavitation. Furthermore, the solids concentration is monitored in real-time by a density meter within the pipeline. When the concentration suddenly increases, the system automatically adjusts the water-air ratio to increase the volume expansion rate of the gas-liquid mixture, enhancing the lifting force. Simultaneously, the injected water lubricates the high-concentration slurry, reducing pipe wall friction resistance. Based on data from pressure sensors and flow meters, a three-phase flow model of gas, liquid, and solid in the pipeline is constructed. When pressure fluctuations > ±2 MPa or sudden changes in local flow velocity are detected, the system prioritizes adjusting the orifice area of the gas distributor to optimize the bubble size distribution and suppress slug flow.
[0070] For example, the concrete slurry used in the mining method contains lightweight aggregate, which has a density less than water, allowing the cementitious layer to float on the water surface, preventing direct contact between water and the roof slab and thus preventing softening of the roof slab. The lightweight aggregate concrete comprises lightweight aggregate, cementitious materials (cement), water, and admixtures, with a density of 800-1000 kg / m³ (dry apparent density), compressive strength of 25-50 MPa, tensile strength of 3-10 MPa, elastic modulus of 50-70% of the same strength grade, freeze-thaw resistance of F300 grade, and impermeability of P12 grade.
[0071] Although the concrete slurry used in this method has a slightly lower tensile strength than ordinary concrete, lightweight aggregate concrete has a lower density, better durability, and better deformation capacity. The cement slurry coating on the aggregate surface forms a closed structure, reducing water absorption and maintaining buoyancy stability. After shotcreting, a buoyancy layer is formed on the water surface. The cement slurry forms a dense layer on the roof slab, blocking water penetration and preventing softening of the roof rock layer. Its coefficient of thermal expansion is 20% lower than ordinary concrete, reducing cracking of the cementitious layer caused by deep high temperature and high stress. Underwater construction uses sulfoaluminate cement, shortening the initial setting time to within 30 minutes and reducing the impact of water flow erosion. Lightweight aggregate concrete achieves the dual functions of underwater buoyancy and roof slab bonding through the synergistic effect of low-density aggregates and cementing materials. Its core advantage lies in combining material lightweighting with interface strengthening, solving the problem of excessive self-weight in traditional concrete while ensuring underwater stability through closed pores and anti-buoyancy technology, providing an innovative solution for preventing roof softening.
[0072] For example, an underwater mining robot produces broken ore bodies by cutting through the ore layer with high-pressure jets. Its collection device breaks up large ore bodies through the mining head and draws in water flow, collecting the fluid mixture of solid resources through a collection pipe. Small-volume ore bodies can directly enter the conveying pipeline through a screening screen, while large-volume ore bodies are filtered by the screening screen, crushed by the crushing mechanism, and then flow into the conveying pipeline. In this application, the underwater mining robot integrates high-pressure jet rock breaking, ore body collection, and conveying functions. High-pressure water is sprayed through jet nozzles to break up the ore layer, and then the broken ore body is collected by the mining head and collection pipe, realizing the ore body slurry. By utilizing the high-energy rock-breaking effect of water jets, combined with the ore body collection and conveying device, efficient crushing and slurrying of the ore body are achieved, improving the crushing efficiency of the ore body, simplifying the ore body collection and conveying process, and reducing the energy consumption and cost of mining operations.
[0073] For example, during the water-air mixing and lifting process, the water-air ratio is dynamically adjusted to optimize air lift efficiency and conveying stability, ensuring that ore particles are uniformly suspended in a closed pipeline and efficiently transported to the surface washing and beneficiation stage. Specifically, the water-air ratio is dynamically adjusted according to changes in ore particle size and concentration. Under high-pressure submerged conditions, the water-air mixing and lifting system adapts to different ore particle sizes and concentrations by dynamically adjusting the water-air mixing ratio, effectively overcoming the problems of high wear, high energy consumption, and easy clogging inherent in traditional mechanical conveying. If further combined with an intelligent control system to optimize air lift efficiency and conveying stability in real time, it can ensure that ore particles are uniformly suspended in a closed pipeline and efficiently transported to the surface washing and beneficiation stage, balancing the continuity, safety, and economic requirements of mining operations under complex geological conditions. After the underwater mining robot jets and breaks the rock, the broken ore body flows towards the wellhead through the suction of the centrifugal pumps in the water-air mixing and lifting system. This method overcomes the problems of high wear, high energy consumption, and easy clogging inherent in traditional mechanical conveying, improving the efficiency and stability of ore conveying.
[0074] An exemplary resource washing and separation system is characterized by the precise separation and purification of slurry-like ore transported to the ground by a water-air mixing and lifting system through multi-stage physical or chemical separation technology. Separation conditions are dynamically adjusted using parameters such as density differences, particle size distribution, or mineral surface characteristics to efficiently remove impurities and associated minerals from the ore, achieving high-purity enrichment of the target resource and simultaneous recovery of multiple categories. If this system is further combined with mineral composition data from intelligent sensing feedback, and the operating parameters of the separation equipment are adaptively adjusted, through process chain coupling such as hydrocyclone, flotation, magnetic separation, or chemical leaching, it not only ensures maximum resource recovery rate but also enables environmentally friendly treatment and recycling of waste residue and wastewater generated during mining, ultimately forming concentrate products that meet industrial standards. Simultaneously, it supports green and resource-based closed-loop management of the entire resource mining process.
[0075] For example, an intelligent sensing and control system can be set up to collect downhole environmental parameters, equipment operating status, and resource processing data in real time through a multi-dimensional sensor network. This system deeply integrates multi-source information such as water pressure, temperature, ore slurry formation process, gas-liquid mixing ratio, and support structure stress to construct a dynamic digital model for transparent monitoring of the entire process. The wellhead pressurization pump provides high pressure inside the wellbore, adjusting the operating pressure to be greater than the rock closure pressure but less than the rock fracturing pressure, thus maintaining a stable pressure state for the roof. With a suitable pressure gradient and the sprayed concrete action of the underwater mining robot's grouting support system, the rock roof remains hard and stable during operation, preventing rock softening caused by the flooded environment and rock loosening caused by mining pressure relief.
[0076] This application discloses a method for in-situ mining of deep mineral formations under submerged conditions. The method involves drilling a large-diameter vertical shaft to the target mineral layer and cementing it. The shaft opening is sealed, pressurized, and water is injected into the shaft to create a submerged environment. An underwater mining robot then converts the ore into a slurry in this submerged environment, simultaneously implementing roof support as needed. A water-air mixing hoisting system then lifts the ore to the surface, where it is finely classified and purified through a resource washing and separation system. Compared to traditional mining methods, this application significantly reduces the environmental impact of the mining process, minimizes safety hazards such as dust and harmful gases, improves resource recovery rate and purity, and achieves environmentally friendly and highly efficient deep mineral formation mining, resulting in significant economic and environmental benefits.
Claims
1. A method for in-situ mining of deep mineral layers under flooded conditions, characterized in that, By injecting water into the wellbore to create a flooded environment at deep mineral layers, underwater mining robots are used for mining operations, and deep resources are converted into slurry for concentrated extraction. The process includes the following steps: (1) Drilling: Drill to form a large-diameter vertical shaft and horizontal shaft that match the depth of the target ore layer, and cement the shaft to ensure that the height of the top plate of the horizontal shaft is compatible with the height of the underwater mining robot. Lower the underwater mining robot and connect it to the water-air lifting system. (2) Pressurization to create a high-pressure environment: After pressurizing the wellbore, the wellhead is sealed to provide a high-pressure environment inside the wellbore. The pressure range is greater than the rock closure pressure but less than the rock fracturing pressure, so that the top plate of the ore layer is in a stable pressure state and the underground is sealed, forming a suitable pressure gradient to facilitate the mining operation of the underwater mining robot; the rock closure pressure P c The rock fracturing pressure is 1.2 to 1.5 times the pressure gradient of the overlying strata. P f Determined by the formation fracture pressure gradient, ranging from 15 to 25 kPa / m; (3) Water injection to create a flooded environment: Connect the screening system outside the wellhead to the downhole water and gas lifting system, and inject water into the annulus inside the casing through the high-pressure water injection valve in a completely sealed state at the wellhead until a flooded environment is formed. The water level in the horizontal well section is close to the top of the ore layer to simulate suitable mining conditions. During the water injection process, the upper limit of the water injection pressure is controlled to not exceed the rock initiation pressure and the lower limit is higher than the rock closure pressure. The water injection pump flow rate is automatically adjusted according to the pressure change rate. (4) Mining and support: The underwater mining robot performs mining and water jet crushing of the ore body. After mining, the underwater mining robot performs support as mining is carried out according to the monitored dynamic response of the surrounding rock. The underwater mining robot sprays pre-stored concrete slurry onto the top plate of the ore body at high pressure to form a cemented layer as mining support in the submerged environment. When supporting, the setting time of the concrete slurry is controlled to match the displacement of the top plate to achieve immediate support and realize continuous mining production line operation. The high-pressure water for water jet rock breaking is obtained by water injection pipeline from the submerged environment. (5) Slurry-like ore body: The jet-mined ore body is collected and pumped by the underwater mining robot and crushed into slurry-like ore body. The screening mechanism inside the underwater mining robot screens and filters the ore body according to the particle size. Small volume ore body enters the conveying pipeline directly for fluid transport through the screening screen. Large volume ore body is screened and filtered, and then crushed a second time by the crushing mechanism before entering the conveying pipeline. (6) Water-gas mixing and lifting, screening: The slurry ore body enters the water-gas mixing and lifting system through the pipeline. Under high pressure, it is drawn to the wellhead and the screening system is used for resource washing and separation to realize the recovery of high-purity resources.
2. The mining method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The depth of the deep mineral layer is 1500~2000 meters. In step (2), the pressure parameter setting gradient is controlled between 18~25 kPa / m, and close to the lower limit to prioritize the stability of the roof.
3. The mining method according to claim 1, characterized in that, During pressurization, the stress response of the surrounding rock in the wellbore is monitored in real time. Based on the rock deformation trend captured by the sensor, the injection pressure parameters are automatically adjusted to ensure that the pressure fluctuation range is always within the safe window between the rock closure pressure and the rock fracturing pressure.
4. The mining method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, In step (4) during the mining process, the jet pressure and flow rate are dynamically matched according to the characteristics of coal and rock. The jet shape and nozzle status are monitored in real time by micro-vibration sensors to detect hardness and fracture density, monitor the volume and particle size distribution of coal and rock, and provide feedback to adjust the jet parameters.
5. The mining method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The concrete slurry mentioned in step (4) uses lightweight aggregate concrete, which has a density less than that of water and forms a buoyancy layer underwater. The dry apparent density of the lightweight aggregate concrete is 800-1000 kg / m³, the compressive strength is 25-50 MPa, the tensile strength is 3-10 MPa, the elastic modulus is 50-70% of the same strength grade, the freeze-thaw resistance is F300 grade, and the impermeability is P12 grade.
6. The mining method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, During the water-air mixing and lifting process in step (6), the water-air ratio is dynamically adjusted according to the changes in ore particle size, solid concentration and pipeline flow state to ensure that ore particles are uniformly suspended in the closed pipeline and efficiently transported to the screening system.
7. A system for in-situ mining of deep ore layers in a flooded environment, implementing the mining method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: This includes a deep mineral layer flooding environment construction system, underwater mining robots, water-air mixing and lifting systems, and resource washing and separation systems; The deep mineral layer flooding environment construction system is used to construct a flooding environment in deep mineral layer locations by drilling, pressurizing, and injecting water into the wellbore; The underwater mining robot is used to carry out mining operations and provide support in deep ore layer flooded environments, to break rocks with high-pressure water jets in the target ore layer, to collect the ore body and to transform it into a slurry ore body in situ. The water-air mixing and lifting system connects the underwater mining robot with the resource washing and separation system, and lifts the slurry ore body through water-air mixing and lifting, and then pumps it to the wellhead under high pressure. The resource washing and separation system is located at the wellhead and is used to separate and purify the slurry-like ore body transported by the water-air mixing and lifting system, thereby realizing the recovery of high-purity resources.
8. The in-situ mining system for deep ore layers under flooded conditions according to claim 6, characterized in that: The deep mineral layer flooding environment construction system includes a drilling device, a wellhead pressurization device, and a water injection device; The drilling equipment is used to drill and form large-diameter vertical shafts and horizontal shafts that match the depth of the target ore layer, and to cement the shafts to ensure that the height of the top plate of the horizontal shaft is adapted to the height of the underwater mining robot. The wellhead pressurization device is used to pressurize the wellbore and seal the wellhead, providing a high-pressure environment inside the wellbore. The pressure range is greater than the rock closure pressure but less than the rock fracturing pressure, so that the roof is in a stable pressure state and the underground is sealed, forming a suitable pressure gradient to facilitate the mining operation of the underwater mining robot. The water injection device is used to inject water into the annulus inside the casing of the wellbore until the water level in the horizontal section is close to the top of the ore layer, forming a flooded environment to simulate suitable mining conditions.
9. The in-situ mining system for deep ore layers under flooded conditions according to claim 6, characterized in that: The underwater mining robot includes a jet rock-breaking mechanism, a grouting mechanism, a mining and conveying mechanism, and a migration mechanism installed on its body; The grouting mechanism includes a grout silo, a pressure pump, a grouting pipeline, and a grouting nozzle connected in sequence. The slurry silo draws in concrete slurry and pressurizes it with a booster pump. The concrete is then sprayed onto the top of the mine layer through the grouting nozzles via the grouting pipeline for support operations. The jet rock-breaking mechanism includes a jet nozzle, a pressurizing pump, a water injection pipeline, and a water pump; the jet rock-breaking mechanism draws in flooded ambient water through the water pump, pressurizes it through the pressurizing pump to form high-pressure water, and then transports it through the water injection pipeline to the jet nozzle to break the ore body through jet; The mining and conveying mechanism includes a connected mining head, a collection pipe, a screening screen, a crushing mechanism, and a conveying pipeline. The mining head is responsible for collecting the ore body after jet crushing. After the large ore blocks are crushed once, they are conveyed to the screening screen through the collection pipe. The ore body flows to two branches. Small-volume ore bodies are directly conveyed through the conveying pipeline, while large-volume ore bodies are crushed a second time by the crushing mechanism and then conveyed through the conveying pipeline. The migration mechanism provides power to the underwater mining robot.