Extraction of Gold and Silver from Bolkar Gold Plant Tailings

Basturkcu H., Burat F., Özer M., Gül A., Sirkeci A. A.

24th INTERNATIONAL MINING CONGRESS OF TURKEY, Antalya, Turkey, 14 - 17 April 2015, pp.1272-1276 identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • Volume:
  • City: Antalya
  • Country: Turkey
  • Page Numbers: pp.1272-1276
  • Istanbul Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This scientific study aims to investigate the extraction of gold and silver using agitation leaching method from tailings of Bolkar gold plant. The tailings contain 1.01 ppm Au and 41.8 ppm Ag. The effect of leaching duration, mechanical activation, pre-aeration and water quality were investigated. During the leaching tests, 40% solid ratio and 0.5 g/L NaCN concentration were kept constant, in order to provide an industrial application. After 2 hours of mechanical activation, d(90) size of the sample was determined as 38 mu m. When this sample was leached for 48h, 64.10% Au and 48.42% Ag extractions were able to be achieved. Although pre-aeration had a positive effect on extractions, in the case that was tested with the activated sample, only 1% Au increase was obtained with the same Ag extraction. On the other hand, if plants' recycle water was used in the leaching tests, the gold and silver extractions decreased 5% and 12%, respectively.