WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH, cilt.39, sa.2, ss.233-241, 2021 (SCI-Expanded)
Nowadays, the production and exploration of gold has an increased importance all over the world. Recycling is a significant source for the supply of gold and has a pronounced effect on its price. The flotation method, which is more economical and more environmentally friendly than cyanide leaching, has been investigated for recycling gold and silver from jewellery slag. A jewellery slag sample containing 28.3 ppm Au and 42.0 ppm Ag was obtained from a refinery in Turkey. Flotation concentrate assaying 614.6 ppm Au and 511 ppm Ag was achieved with recoveries of 89.0% and 83.2%, respectively. On the other hand, 87.8% Au and 81.5% Ag extractions were obtained by cyanide leaching tests. Based on these results, flotation is suggested, considering its environmental and economic benefits.