Advances in Membrane Technology for Gold Extraction: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

This comprehensive review investigates recent advancements in separation technologies for gold extraction, focusing on sustainable and efficient methods to address environmental concerns associated with traditional practices. The study explores innovative techniques such as hydrometallurgical methods, biocyanidation, biosorption, and membrane technology, evaluating their mechanisms and environmental implications. Significant trends in gold extraction have emerged over the past five years, as revealed by a comprehensive review of numerous studies. One such trend is the increasing adoption of non-toxic leaching agents like thiocyanate, which show comparable recovery rates to cyanide while posing lower environmental risks. Additionally, advancements in bioleaching through engineered microbial strains have demonstrated improved gold solubilization efficiencies, with reported increases of up to 25% in recovery rates. Membrane technologies, particularly composite and nanostructured membranes, have emerged as promising alternatives for selective gold ion separation, offering enhanced permeability and selectivity. The integration of these advanced technologies into hybrid systems further enhances overall recovery rates, with efficiencies of over 95% when combining biological and physical separation methods. This review concludes that the future of gold extraction lies in the combination of these innovative technologies, which improve recovery efficiencies and address critical environmental concerns. The ongoing research in this field is vital for the development of sustainable gold recovery processes that meet both economic and ecological demands. By examining the mechanisms, efficiencies, and environmental impacts of these methods, this paper highlights the future potential of separation technologies in sustainable gold recovery.