Abstract
Aeration curing, over a long duration in wetted stockpiles, shows promise as an affordable pretreatment method for oxidizing gold encapsulating sulfide minerals, and possibly organic matter, in low grade refractory ores. Following aeration pretreatment, the ore is reclaimed, neutralized, and cyanide leached by conventional practices. Large tonnages of subeconomic material, including mine stripping waste, may be converted into ore by this new technology. The results presented show that a successful application of this technology will likely require crushing to about −2 cm (−3/4 in.), followed by aeration in a wet stockpile for long periods, up to three years. Natural convection may be inadequate, but forced air ventilation, at modest pressures and power consumption, is affordable.
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