Research and development of gold ore processing technology

Abstract

This paper presents the results of technological studies of two samples of gold-bearing ore from the gold-bearing deposit of Kazakhstan deposits 1 and 2. A comprehensive analysis of ore samples by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray phase, chemical, and mineralogical methods was carried out. The calculated initial gold content was determined, and X-ray fluorescence analysis showed that the main elements that make up the ore are oxygen up to 51% and silicon up to 33%. X-ray phase analysis showed the presence of more than 95% quartz and muscovite in the samples. The form of finding gold in the ore, according to the results of mineralogical analysis, is defined as free gold and gold in iron hydroxide. Silver is present in the studied samples in the form of various types of halides. An ore beneficiation scheme has been developed and presented, including gravity and flotation. Gravity enrichment was carried out in two stages, with the production of concentrate and tailings, with the maximum recovery of gold in concentrate up to 91%, flotation enrichment using butyl xanthate reagents and a blowing agent, was carried out in two stages with the production of main and control concentrates and final flotation tailings. The subsequent hydrometallurgical study of the ore was carried out to assess the effect of sodium cyanide on the extraction of gold, tests were performed on the leaching of the initial samples of the ore and the obtained flotation and gravity concentrates in the agitation mode, it was found that cyanide leaching is an effective method for processing the mineral raw materials of the gold-bearing deposit of Kazakhstan, and the obtained flotation concentrates, with the recovery of gold into solution under optimal conditions up to 98%. The results obtained make it possible to predict the effectiveness of the main technological stages in the ore processing scheme, technology optimization, and maximum gold recovery.