Technical Note

Cyanidation of Artvin-Cerattepe region gold-silver ore and the use of hydrogen peroxide

F. Arslan*, D.Y. Ozdamar, M. Muduroglu

Istanbul Technical University, Mining Faculty, Mining Eng. Dept. Mineral and Coal Processing Division, 80626 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey


Received 18 July 2002; accepted 1 March 2003



ABSTRACT

Cyanide leaching of gold-silver ore, obtained from Artvin-Cerattepe region of Turkey, was investigated. The effects of NaCN concentration, solid/liquid ratio, type of pH adjustment reagent, lead nitrate and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) additions in relation to the leaching time on gold and silver leaching efficiencies were examined and the optimum cyanide leaching conditions were determined. Almost all gold and 71% of Ag were extracted with the addition of 15 g/l H₂O₂ during the cyanidation carried out for 48 hours. As a result of this study, it was proven that addition of H₂O₂ as an oxidant during the cyanide leaching had an increasing effect on the leaching recoveries of Au and Ag, a decreasing effect on the leaching period, and thus an accelerating effect on Ag and Au dissolutions.


Keywords: Gold ores; Cyanidation; Leaching



* Corresponding author
   E-mail : arslanf@itu.edu.tr