Technical feasibility study of the exploitation of seabed potassium salts by solution mining

To address Brazil's need for imported saline potassium, a technical feasibility study of the exploitation of seabed potassium salts by solution mining in Brazil was conducted based on a mapped anomaly of the coast of Sergipe. This study involved a technical–scientific partnership between the Federal University of Minas Gerais, and National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels. The latter provided the technical data acquired from wells drilled by oil companies, including descriptions of channel samples, composite profiles, drill hole profile, geophysics, gravimetry, and magnetometry. The data were analyzed using petrographic tools to characterize the anomalies in the potassium salts at drilling sites. The profile data was processed to examine the gamma ray, sonic and resistivity, and create a filter to separate potassium salts from other salts. The objective of the study was to build a new route for exploratory research of sedimentary rocks. The seismic interpretation of the results and description of the drill holes were used to develop a geological model of the mineral body with the aim of determining the potential of potassium salts for mine applications. Based on the findings, the optimal exploitation parameters (equipment, pumping rate, mine layout, and mineral recuperation) for possible exploitation of the potassium salts were defined.