Research of hydrometallurgical method of leaching gold from flotation tails with using bio-oxidation

Abstract

This paper shows the results of the comparative study of the efficiency of gold extraction methods from technogenic flotation tails by agitation cyanidation and biooxidation followed by leaching. A representative sample of flotation tails was taken at gold extraction plant of Altyntau Kokshetau LLP. It was established that in the test sample contains 0.47 g / t Au and 0.62 g / t Ag. The gold extraction degree from flotation tailings with 80% content of 0.071 mm fraction was 50%, and that with 90% content of 0.071 mm fraction was 60%. Gold extraction plant's flotation tailings grinded to 0-0.044 mm fraction with sodium peroxide were subjected to pre-oxidation. The gold extraction degree from flotation tailings with 90% content of 0.044mm fraction at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:4 and a cyanide concentration of 1 g/dm3 is 65.2%. By using an active strain of thionic cultures the gold extraction degree was 72.1%