Gold Extraction Plants Research Articles

Gold Extraction Plant Practice in South Africa

Abstract South African gold production takes place from essentially two geological areas, firstly the Archaean volcano-sedimentary greenstone belt in the Barberton district of the eastern Transvaal.

Methods for identification of arsenic compounds

Dust samples from two mineral processing operations, a gold extraction plant and an iron ore pelletizing operation, have been studied to determine the amount of As and its compounds which are present. Results indicate the probable presence of large amounts of AS203 in the gold roaster dust and relatively small fractions of AS203 in the pelletizing plant dust. Sample analysis was carried out by use of colormetric, volumetric, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction techniques.

Cyanide Destruction in Mine Waste Water

Abstract Cyanide, heavy metals and dissolved arsenic are typically found in the effluent from gold extraction plants. The waste solutions are usually basic and if the cyanide is removed or destroyed, the heavy metals and arsenic will co-precipitate. This paper describes the characteristics of such wastes in relationship to the processes involved. Potential techniques to minimize the volume of effluent discharged and several chemical oxidation techniques for the destruction of both free and complexed cyanide are discussed.

Determination of small quantities of xanthate

A new spectrophotometric method for the determination of very small amounts of xanthate in solutions, particularly cyanide solutions from gold-extraction plants, is described. It is based on the formation and extraction of copper(II) xanthate. The coefficient of variation is 1.0% at the 40-ppm level and 3.4% at the 4-ppm level and the lower limit of determination is approximately 0.5 ppm. Copper(II) xanthate normally decomposes into copper(I) xanthate and dixanthogen, but in the proposed method the decomposition is delayed.