The technology
Access the value beneath the surface.
Empire’s approach combines vibroflotation, high-capacity slurry extraction and specialist engineering within an integrated subsurface extraction methodology.
The resource may not be the problem. Accessing it economically can be.
In many mining applications (not dredging), the route to the target resource requires substantial material movement before the resource itself can be recovered.
Empire’s methodology is being developed around a different principle.
Conventional
- 01Remove worthless overburden, transport and storage
- 02Excavate mineral bearing soil, and transport to plant for processing
- 03Stockpile waste streams
- 04Extensive and expensive restoration and remediation of removed overburden and site
Empire
- 01Penetrate worthless overburden, to mineralized zone
- 02Pump mineral bearing soil to processing plant
- 03Stockpile minimal waste streams
- 04Minor restoration of surface disturbance
Four stages.
- 01
Penetrate / Position
The Vibropump is deployed through the overburden to the target depth, without excavating the material above it.
- 02
Extract
Mineral-bearing material is drawn from the target layer to the surface as a high-density slurry.
- 03
Process
Recovered material is transferred to surface processing, where separation and recovery take place on board.
- 04
Repeat
The Vibropump is repositioned across the target area and the sequence repeats.
Five components. One platform.
These are not five unrelated machines. They form an integrated extraction platform.
Vibropump
The vibroflot and slurry pump combined. Penetrates the overburden to reach the target layer and transfers material to the surface at high capacity.
Power
Generation sized for continuous operation.
Crane
Positions and supports the extraction string.
Marine Platform
Barge or vessel carrying the full system when in marine environments.
Processing
On-board separation and recovery.
Integration is part of the innovation.
Empire does not need to invent every industrial component from scratch.
Its strategy is to combine specialist industrial equipment with Empire’s proprietary method, configuration, engineering integration and developing operating know-how.
Protecting the method.
Empire’s technology strategy includes patent-pending intellectual property, together with engineering integration, operational know-how and future commercial operating data.
Where the technology stands.
Completed to date
MVP complete. Engineering development and physical testing of the extraction method.
Planned
Production Vibropump in development, ahead of integration into a complete production platform, commissioning and commercial deployment at Nome.
From bench to full scale.
Empire’s testing program has moved from bench-scale through to a field-tested MVP.