Document Type : Short Communication

Authors

1 Process Manager, NIPEC, Tehran, Iran

2 Professor, School of Mining Engineering, University College of Engineering, University of Tehran

3 School of Mining Eng., College of Eng., University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

4 PhD student, Tehran Science and Research branch of Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This study investigates the optimization of gold dissolution from Aghdarre ore. Therefore, a laboratory investigation was initiated, to improve the leaching conditions with the objective of maximizing mill capacity with no reduction on gold recovery. It was observed that the time reduction from 25 to 15 hours did not change the gold recovery. In the other words, it indicated that a capacity of 140t/h can be sustained without detrimental effect on gold recovery. The optimum parameters were 700g/t NaCN, 46% solid in pulp, pH=10, and d80=45 microns using the Taguchi method. So, the gold recovery was obtained 90.71%. Also, it was concluded that the NaCN concentration was the most effective parameter and the solid percent plus retention time had the lowest effects on this process.

Keywords