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<br />• <br />• <br />D.2.2 Solution Mininc Wells <br />A total of six mining wells will be rotary drilled to a depth averaging 1,820 <br />feet. The resultant cavities will be oriented parallel with each other such <br />that a pillar of unmined nahcolite will be left between the mined-out <br />cavities. <br />The proposed mining method involves injecting hot water into the injection <br />well, circulation of the fluid through the horizontal drain holes to the <br />recovery well, and recovery of solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate. <br />The saturated solution (pregnant liquor) is subsequently brought to the <br />surface and recrystallized in the surface plant. After crystallization, the <br />water (which contains approximately 7 percent sodium bicarbonate) is reheated <br />and returned to the injection well to form a closed water loop. Minor water <br />losses will occur in the surface plant and also from the occupation of the <br />expanding cavity underground. This water use will be augmented by existing <br />sources. <br />D.2.3 Water Supply <br />Water required for Pilot Plant operations will be obtained from a new well <br />located east of the plant site in the NE 1/4, Section 24, T15, R98W. The well <br />will be completed in the upper aquifer. The water will be pumped via a <br />2-inch-diameter, 10,000-foot pipeline from the well to the plant. The Pilot <br />Plant will use approximately 25 gallons per minute (0.06 cfs) of water at full <br />production. <br />D.3 MINE DEVELOPMENT <br />D.3.1 Production Technioues <br />The rate of fluid injection and <br />operation varies as a function of <br />between the injection and recovery <br />recovery during the early part of the <br />cavity size and time. The difference <br />rates is attributable to: (1) the water <br />