Abstract
The optimum effect of several variables in gold cyanidation has been frequently addressed by researchers in their effort to improve gold processing. Their findings have been diverse depending on the operating conditions and the mineralogical composition of the gold ores. Although gold cyanidation plant practice in Canada has improved significantly in recent years, process optimization is still under development. To this end, efforts have been undertaken to elucidate the role of significant variables in gold cyanidation and to develop an effective reagent utilization strategy for gold processing plants. Laboratory studies involving two cases of mild refractory ores are presented and discussed by delineating the relationship of “free” cyanide concentration, dissolved oxygen level and lead nitrate addition, and its effect on gold dissolution rate, gold extraction and cyanide consumption. Reduction of half to three-fold in cyanide consumption and up to three-fold enhancement in gold dissolution rate were achieved, in comparison to plant performance.
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