Abstract
The gold recovery from secondary resources is in the spotlight due to its high economic value and as the circular economy’s main objective. As a valuable secondary source, the slag resulted from the gold-bearing electrolytic mud smelting contains up to 0.8–15 k g t−1 Au and 9–13 kg t−1 Ag, respectively. The gravity separation’s use to concentrate gold contained by the slag causes significantly reduced reagents and energy consumptions. The diminished reacting time and the increased recovery yield due to the augmentation of contact surface between the solid phase and the leaching reagent are other important advantages. The present contribution aims to point out that a new different type of waste such as the slag resulted from the gold-bearing electrolytic mud smelting may be capitalized using gravity separation on Gemini table and Knelson concentrator, respectively. Metal recoveries up to 90–92% Au and 46–60% Ag, respectively, were obtained on Gemini table.
Graphical Abstract
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Falconer A (2003) Gravity separation: old technique/new methods. PSSE 12(1):31–48
Wills BA, Napler-Munn T (2006) Wills’ mineral processing technology: an introduction to the practical aspects of ore treatment and mineral recovery, 7th edn. Elsevier Science & Technology Books, Amsterdam, pp 223–244
Bird A, Briggs M (2011) Recent Improvements to the gravity gold circuit at Marvel Loch. In: Metallurgical plant design and operating strategies, 8–9 August 2011 Perth, pp 1–23
Das A, Sarkar B (2018) Advanced gravity concentration of fine particles: a review. Miner Process Extr Metall Rev 39(6):359–394. https://doi.org/10.1080/08827508.2018.1433176
Jordens A, Cheng YP, Waters KE (2013) A review of the beneficiation of rare earth element bearing minerals. Miner Eng 41:97–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2012.10.017
Majumder AK, Barnwal JP (2006) Modelling of enhanced gravity concentrators–present status. Miner Process Extr Metall Rev 27:61–86. https://doi.org/10.1080/08827500500339307
Poloko N (2019) Physical separation methods, part 1: a review. IOP Conf Ser Mater Sci Eng 641:012023. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/641/1/012023
Popescu A, Soare VA, Demidenko OL, Calderon-Moreno J, Neacsu E, Donath CR, Burada MA, Constantin IO, Constantin VI (2020) recovery of silver and gold from electronic waste by electrodeposition in ethaline ionic liquid. Rev Chem Bucharest 71:122–132. https://doi.org/10.37358/RC.20.1.7822
Chen Q, Yang HY, Tong LL, Niu HQ, Zhang FS, Chen GM (2020) Research and application of a Knelson concentrator: a review. Miner Eng 152:106339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2020.106339
Jeon S, Ito M, Tabelin CB, Pongsumrankul R, Tanaka S, Kitajima N, Saito A et al (2019) A physical separation scheme to improve ammonium thiosulfate leaching of gold by separation of base metals in crushed mobile phones. Miner Eng 138:168–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2019.04.025
Tanisali E, Özer M, Burat F (2020) Precious metals recovery from waste printed circuit boards by gravity separation and leaching. Miner Process Extr Metall Rev. https://doi.org/10.1080/08827508.2020.1795849
Tahli L, Wahyudi T (2013) Processing of gold ore from Kedodong area, South Lampung using gravity concentration method. Indones Mining J. https://doi.org/10.30556/imj.Vol16.No1.2013.439
Gül A, Kangal O, Sirkeci AA, Önal G (2012) Beneficiation of the gold bearing ore by gravity and flotation. Int J Miner Metall Mater. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-012-0523-4zzzz
Hoffman EL, Clark JR, Yeager JR (1999) Gold analysis—fire assaying and alternative methods. Explor Mining Geol 7:155–160
Wardell-Johnson G, Bax A, Staunton WP, Mcgrath J, Eksteen JJ (2013) A decade of gravity gold recovery, World Gold Conference/Brisbane, 26–29 September 2013, pp 225–232
Gupta A, Yan D (eds) (2016) Mineral processing design and operations, 2nd edn. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 563–628
Nicol MJ, Fleming CA, Paul RL (1987) The chemistry of the extraction of gold. In: Stanley GG (ed) The extractive metallurgy of gold, vol 2. The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Johannesburg, pp 831–905
Bas AD, Ghali E, Choi Y (2017) A review on electrochemical dissolution and passivation of gold during cyanidation in presence of sulphides and oxides. Hydrometallurgy 172:30–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hydromet.2017.06.021
Baran V, Brandaleze E, Valentini M, Hidalgo N (2015) Characterization of slags produced during gold melting process. Procedia Mater Sci 8:851–860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mspro.2015.04.145
Barnwal A, Dhawan N (2019) Evaluation of fluidization process for recovery of metals from discarded printed circuit boards. J Sustain Metall. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40831-019-00242-w
Abols JA, Grady PM (2005) Maximizing gravity recovery through the application of multiple gravity devices. In: Proceedings of the international symposium on the treatment of Gold Ores, 44th annual conference of metallurgists, COM 2005, Calgary, pp 31–47
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Additional information
The contributing editor for this article was Brajendra Mishra.
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Barbu, C.A., Tomuș, N., Radu, A.D. et al. Gravity Separation: Highly Effective Tool for Gold-Bearing Slag’s Recycling. J. Sustain. Metall. 7, 1852–1861 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40831-021-00458-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40831-021-00458-9