Abstract
Gold is present in refractory sulfide gold ores mainly in arsenian pyrite and arsenopyrite, where it occurs in both the chemically bonded state and as nano-size grains of metallic gold. During roasting or pressure oxidation, the sulfide matrix is destroyed and essentially all the gold is converted to the metallic form. The liberated gold is readily dissolved in conventional cyanide media, although a few residual gold particles, commonly encapsulated by films of silica-rich gel or by calcium sulfate, are detected. Chloridecontaining gold ores can generate soluble gold chlorocomplexes during hydrometallurgical processing and the dissolved gold can be sequestered on the surfaces of associated carbon particles, resulting in reduced gold recoveries.
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Chen, T.T., Cabri, L.J. & Dutrizac, J.E. Characterizing gold in refractory sulfide gold ores and residues. JOM 54, 20–22 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02709181
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02709181