Hydrometallurgy: Leaching in Heap, Vat, CIL, CIP, Merrill–Crowe, SX Solvent Extraction

Hydrometallurgy: Leaching in Heap, Vat, CIL, CIP, Merrill–Crowe, SX Solvent Extraction

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Can I use NaClO instead of O2 in the Cyanidation process of an Au extraction plant? (3 replies and 1 comment)

L
Buurman
3 years ago
Buurman 3 years ago

We have a shortage of O2 currently and air is not sufficient, we can't get H2O2 also. Will NaClO have any negative downstream effects if I use it on the gold extraction plant?

J
Jorge
3 years ago
Jorge 3 years ago
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1 like by Paul Manumbu

It is possible to use sodium hypochlorite as a blinding agent when there is pre-robbing carbonaceous material in the ore. Other potential use is to oxidize the ore or flotation concentrate ahead of the cyanidation circuit, this alternative has been used when tellurium is one of the gold bearing minerals.

L
Buurman
3 years ago

Hi Jorge, thank you for your comment. My thinking is to use the hypo ahead of cyanidation to oxidize, but will it not affect the adsorption process - the gold will chemically change to the AUCl form - please this is my biggest concern at this moment

J
Jorge
3 years ago
Jorge 3 years ago
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1 like by Paul Manumbu

An oxidation treatment for the leaching of gold telluride and the production of tellurium metal was used at Emperor Gold Mine. Basically, the treatment used a basic hypochlorite solution to oxidize a high-grade gold telluride concentrate produced from flotation. Apparently, they did not have problems.

In Nevada, several oxidation and cyanidation tests were performed. They concluded that using sodium hypochlorite, it possible to passivate the carbon to a lesser extent than that obtained with gaseous chlorine. They noted, that the residual chlorine/hypochlorite should be destroyed before feeding the slurry to a CIL circuit.

Both cases show that the mineralogy plays an important role in an oxidation process ahead of the cyanidation circuit. I think, you need to perform some test in the lab to note some potential problems with your ore.

E
Erik
3 years ago
Erik 3 years ago
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You can also investigate switching your grinding balls from forged to high chrome.


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