Abstract
A potentiodynamic study was carried out to determine the effects of various ions on the electrorecovery of precious metals from an industrial cyanide leaching solution. Synthetic solutions were prepared and studied to determine the effects of Cu, Ni, and Pb individually and in combination on the recovery of gold and silver. Lead, known to be electrochemically active, was studied at a low concentration (1 ppm), whereas copper and nickel were studied at high concentrations (250 ppm), corresponding to levels found in an industrial solution. Both copper and lead were found to enhance silver and gold reduction reactions in the potential sweep measurements. Separation of the two reactions was also improved. In addition, these two metals inhibited the onset of hydrogen evolution. Nickel had the opposite effect. Separation and initiation of the gold and silver plating peaks was inhibited, and the hydrogen evolution reaction was depolarized. The influence of nickel predominated over the effects of copper and lead. The data, obtained from synthetic electrolyte solutions, were compared with those obtained from the industrial leach solution.
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