Recent advances in refractory gold processing

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 82, No. 931, 1989

G.P. Demopoulos and V.G. Papangelakis, Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, McGill University

Recovery of gold from refractory ores and concentrates presently constitutes one of the most important, challenging, and exciting areas ofR&D activity in the gold processing industry. New technologies are being tested for the treatment of refractory gold materials, some of which have been advanced to the level of commercial operation. In this paper, some recent technological developments in the hydrometallurgical processing of pyritic matrix-refractory gold ores are highlighted. Key operational steps of each of the alternate hydrometallurgical technologies are analyzed and potential advantages and drawbacks are identified. The processes which are reviewed are: hydrochemical oxidation, biochemical oxidation and pressure oxidation.

Mots Clés: Gold processing, Biochemical oxidation, Hydrochemical oxidation, Hydrometallurgical technology, Pressure oxidation, Refractory ores