Skip to main content
Log in

Pressure cyanide leaching for precious metals recovery

  • Research Summary
  • Aqueous Processing
  • Published:
JOM Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A novel method demonstrates that the oxidation and dissolution of gold and silver in alkaline cyanide solution can be conducted simultaneously in the same autoclave in less than 90 minutes with a recovery that exceeds 96%. Because mild operating conditions of 80°C and 0.6 MPa oxygen pressure are used in this process, low cost materials of construction can be utilized for the autoclave.

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

  1. J.R. Parga and H. Mercado, “Precious Metals Extraction by Direct Oxidative Pressure Cyanidation of BacÍs Concentrates,” Proceedings Randol Gold Forum (Beaver Creek, OR: Randol International Ltd., 1993), pp. 209–212.

    Google Scholar 

  2. J.R. Parga and H. Mercado, “Comparative Study of Direct Pressure Oxidation/Cyanidation and a Pyrometallurgical Process for the Recovery of Precious Metals from Sulfide Concentrates,” Proceeding of the 17th IPMI, Precious Metals, ed. Rajesh K. Mishra (Allentown, PA: International Precious Metals Institute, 1993), pp. 55–67.

    Google Scholar 

  3. N. Geoffroy and F. Cardarelli, “A Method for Leaching or Dissolving Gold from Ores or Precious Metal Scrap,” JOM, 57(8) (2005), pp. 47–50.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Anonymous, “Refractory Gold Technology,” Mining Magazine (1996), pp. 231–234.

  5. G.L. Simons et al., “Pressure Oxidation Problems and Solutions: Treating Carbonaceous Gold Ores Containing Trace Amounts of Chlorine (Halogens),” Mining Engineering (1998), pp. 69–73.

  6. F. Habashi, “Copper Metallurgy at the Crossroads,” Proceedings of the Copper 95-Cobre 96 International Conference, ed. W.C. Cooper and D.B. Dreisinger (Montreal, Canada: CIM, 1995), pp. 493–510.

    Google Scholar 

  7. W. Yernberg, “Santa Fe Pacific Gold Targets Millions Ounces/Year Production,” Mining Engineering, 9 (1996), pp. 39–43.

    Google Scholar 

  8. C.G. Anderson and S.M. Nordwick, “Pretreatment Using Alkaline Sulfide Leaching and Nitrogen Species Catalyzed Pressure Oxidation on a Refractory Gold Concentrate,” EPD Congress 1996, ed. G.W. Warren (Warrendale, PA: TMS, 1996), pp. 323–341.

    Google Scholar 

  9. J. Chen and K. Huang, “A New Technique for Extraction of Platinum Group Metals by Pressure Cyanidation,” Hydrometallurgy, 82 (2006), pp. 164–171.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. S. Chander and A. Briceño, “Kinetics of Pyrite Oxidation,” Minerals and Metallurgical Processing, 8 (1987), pp. 170–176.

    Google Scholar 

  11. R.G.M.S Berezowski and D.R. Weir, “Pressure Oxidation Pretreatment of Refractory Gold,” Mine Metallurgy Process (1994), pp. 1–4.

  12. J.S. Graham and T.W. James, “Cyanide and Other Lixiviant Leaching Systems for Gold with Some Practical Applications,” Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review, 14 (1995), pp. 193–247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. R.Y. Wan, M. Le Vier, and J.D. Miller, “Research and Development Activities for the Recovery of Gold from Non-Cyanide Solutions,” Hydrometallurgy Fundamentals, Technology & Innovations (Littleton, CO: Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, 1993), pp. 415–436.

    Google Scholar 

  14. G.A. Deitz and J. Halpern, “Reaction of Silver with Aqueous Solutions of Cyanide and Oxygen,” Journal of Metals, 5 (1953), pp. 1109–1116.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. K.G. Thomas, D. Burns, and A.R. Hill, “Autoclaving Technology and Barrick Gold” (Paper prepared for the International Precious Metals Institute, Reno, Nevada, October 1992).

  16. G. Chi, M. Fuerstenau, and J. Maesden, “Study of Merril-Crowe Processing. Part I: Solubility of Zinc in Alkaline Cyanide Solution,” International Journal of Mineral Processing, 49 (1997), pp. 171–183.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to José R. Parga.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Parga, J.R., Valenzuela, J.L. & Francisco, C.T. Pressure cyanide leaching for precious metals recovery. JOM 59, 43–47 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-007-0130-4

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-007-0130-4

Keywords

Navigation