Skip to main content
Log in

Dissolution kinetics of gold in moderate aqueous potassium iodide solutions with oxygen under pressure

  • Published:
Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The kinetics of gold dissolution in iodide solutions with oxygen in an autoclave was investigated. The leaching process was described by a gas-liquid-solid heterogeneous reaction. The effects of stirring speed, temperature, oxygen partial pressure and lixiviant concentrations on the overall leaching rate was investigated. It was found that the dissolution of gold could be represented by a heterogeneous chemical reaction. Under the conditions studied, the apparent activation energy ranged from 34.7 to 54.3 kJ/mol. Experimental findings were in good agreement with the kinetic model proposed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Berezowsky, R.M.G.S., Collins, M.J., Kerfoot, D.G.E., and Torres, N., 1991, “The commercial status of pressure leaching technology”, JOM, Feb., pp. 9–15.

  • Carvalho, T.M., Haines, A.K., DaSilva, E.J., and Doyle, B.N., 1988, “Startup of the Sherritt Pressure Oxidation Process at Sao Bento,” Perth Gold’88, Golden, CO., Randol International Ltd., pp. 152–156.

  • Dadgar, A.; 1989, “Extraction of gold from refractory concentrates: Cyanide leach vs. bromine process,” TMS-AIME Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, 14 pp.

  • Davis, A., and Tran, T.; 1991, “Gold dissolution in iodide electrolytes,” Hydrometallurgy, 26, pp. 163–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guinivere, R., 1984, “McLaughlin Project: Process, project and development,” Proceedings of the First International Precious Metals Recovery Symposium, Reno, NV, Mining Symp. Assoc., London, England.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geiger, G.H., and Poirier, D.R., 1973, Transport Phenomena in Metallurgy, Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Reading, MA, pp. 524–532.

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, K.N., and Meng, X., 1993, US Patent 5,114,687.

  • Han, K.N., and Meng, X., 1994a, US Patent, 5,308,381.

  • Han, K.N., and Meng, X., 1994b, US Patent 5,328,669.

  • Han, K.N., and Vu, C., 1981, “A kinetic model for leaching of cobalt metal powder in NH3-H3O systems,” Hydrometallurgy, Vol. 6, pp. 227–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herbo, C., and Sigalla, J., 1958, “The oxidation of iodide by cupric ions in homogeneous solution,” J. Chim. Phys., 55, pp. 403–406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hisshion, R.J., and Waller, C.G., 1984, “Recovering gold with thiourea,” Mining Magazine, September, Vol. 151, No. 3, pp. 237–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Homick, R.P., and Sloan, H., 1976, US Patent 3,957,505.

  • Kerley Jr., B.J., 1981, US Patent, 4,269,622

  • McGrew, K.J., and Murphy, J.W., 1985, US Patent 4,557,759.

  • Latimer, W.M., 1952, The Oxidation States of the Elements and Their Potentials in Aqueous Solution, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 2nd Ed.

  • Latysheva, V.A., Lilich, L.S., and Sirenko, A.S., 1960, “Influence of a few salts and acids on the reaction rate of oxidation of iodide ions by trivalent iron ions,” Vestnik Leningrad Univ., No. 10, Ser. Fiz. i Khim., No. 2, pp. 121–130.

  • Meng, X. and Han, K.N., 1993, “A kinetic model for dissolution of metals —The role of heterogeneous reaction and mass transfer,” Minerals and Metall. Processing, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 128–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meng, X, Sun, X., and Han, K.N., 1995, “A dissolution kinetic model for metals in solutions,” Minerals and Metall. Processing, Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 97–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qi, P.H., and Hiskey, J.B., 1991, “Dissolution kinetics of gold in iodide solution,” Hydrometallurgy, Vol. 27, pp. 47–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raudsepp, R., and Allgood, R., 1987, “Thiourea leaching of gold in a continuous pilot plant,” Proceedings of the International Symposium on Gold Metallurgy, R.S. Salter, D.M. Wyslouzil and G.W. McDonald, eds., Pergamon Press, pp. 87–95.

  • Sillen, L.G., and Martell, A.E., 1964, Stability Constants of Metal Ion Complexes, The Chemical Society, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, K.G., 1991, “Alkaline and acidic autoclaving of refractory gold ores,” JOM, Feb., pp. 16–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zipperan, D., and Raghavan, S., 1988, “Gold and silver extraction by ammoniacal thiosulfate leaching from a rhyolite ore,” Hydrometallurgy, Vol. 19, pp. 361–375.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

SME preprint 96-72, SME Annual Meeting, March 11–14, 1996, Phoenix, AZ.

M&MP paper 96-619. Discussion of this peer-reviewed and apporved paper is invited and must be submitted to SME prior to Aug. 31, 1997.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Meng, X., Han, K.N. Dissolution kinetics of gold in moderate aqueous potassium iodide solutions with oxygen under pressure. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 14, 1–9 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03402752

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03402752

Navigation