Mineralogy and processing characteristics of arsenical gold ores – phase 2

Summary

Five refractory gold ores were characterised according to their mineralogy and refractory behaviour.

The mineralogy and processing response of flotation concentrates produced from the ores were investigated.

Ultrafine milling was used to recover all fine particulate gold.

Gold deportment in individual sulphide minerals was measured using electron microprobe and ion microprobe.

The sulphides in the flotation concentrates were oxidised by roasting, pressure, and bacterial methods.

Gold recovery by cyanidation of the oxidised pulps was compared with the ore mineralogy.

Keywords: gold ores, arsenic, mineralogy, processing, refractory ores