The processing of a low-grade gold refractory sulfide ore by flotation-biooxidation-cyanidation route

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Mining Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran

10.22059/ijmge.2025.396215.595265

Abstract

By depletion of high-grade and easy-to-treat gold ores and the increase in gold price, the extraction of gold from low-grade and refractory ores, such as sulfide ores has been given attention. Biooxidation is one of the efficient, relatively low-cost and environmentally friendly processes to enhance gold extraction by releasing fine gold encapsulated in sulfide phases. So, in this research, the efficiency of concentrate biooxidation-flotation system in increasing gold recovery from sulfide-refractory low-grade ores was investigated. Biooxidation experiments with mesophilic and moderate thermophilic microorganisms were conducted on the flotation concentrate. Finally, cyanidation experiments were conducted on the flotation concentrate, and biooxidized flotation concentrate. Gold recovery from non-biooxidized flotation concentrate was 63.59%, while it increased to 80.21% after biooxidation with mesophilic microorganisms and to 79.84% after biooxidation with moderate thermophilic microorganisms.

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References

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International Journal of Mining and Geo-Engineering
Volume 59, Issue 2
June 2025
Pages 119-123

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