Abstract
A silver ore concentrate (≈50 mg/kg Ag) was studied to determine whether electrolytic treatment could be used to enhance silver extraction from the ore. The hydrometallurgical leach was carried out in a batch mode using hydrochloric acid. The ore was mechanically slurried in an electrochemical cell with graphite rod electrodes. A comparison of the extractions using acid, acid + chlorine or electrolytic means was made by measuring silver, iron and sulphur dissolved as a function of time, concentration and sparging gas. The results demonstrated that the electrolytic leach improved both the rate and extent of silver extraction over non-electrolytic leaches. Up to 57% silver extraction was obtained in a 3 hour period compared with 15 to 25% with acid or acid + chlorine leaches respectively. The rate of silver extraction at the end of the 3 hour period was also substantially higher. Under the same conditions only 9% of the iron was extracted from the ore.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
