Prospects for refractory gold-sulfide ore processing

Abstract

Cyanide-refractory ores constitute 30 % of the world’s gold mineral resource base. With the global decrease in the availability of high-grade and free-milling ores, low-quality ores, including those rich in sulfur and arsenic, are increasingly being processed. The authors have conducted an assessment of the primary factors complicating the leaching process of refractory gold. These factors include the influence of gold distribution within the ore, the presence of preg-robbing effects, and the impact of cyanicidal minerals, notably pyrrhotite, on the leaching process. Sulfide minerals significantly affect the kinetics of gold leaching and associated reagent costs. The behavior of Fe5S6 is elucidated through the concept of “chemical depression”. Under cyanide leaching conditions, pyrrhotite actively and directly reacts with NaCN/KCN, undergoing surface oxidation by dissolved oxygen in the pulp. This leads to the formation of ferrocyanide complexes and rhodanides, which are unable to leach gold. Presently, there are two approaches to enhance the process parameters of refractory ore processing technology. The first approach involves the inclusion of preparation operations for cyanidation, aimed at liberating gold from the sulfide matrix (including hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical oxidation technologies and mechanical activation). An alternative approach is to use alternative reagents as leaching agents (notably thiourea, sodium and ammonium thiosulfates, and halides). The article explores means of modifying the technological process for gold extraction when ores contain substantial amounts of pyrrhotite or concentrates.