Use of cationic surfactants in the cyanidation of refractory carbonaceous ores for recovery of metals
AssigneeAkzo Nobel Chemicals International B.V.
InventorsQiong Zhou, Junhua Jiang, Yeonuk Choi
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Abstract
A process for recovery of precious metals from ores or concentrates containing refractory carbonaceous material by cyanidation leaching. The process involves addition to the ores or concentrates at least one cationic surfactant before or during the addition of cyanide-containing solution. The agent enables the recovery of precious metals by cyanidation from high preg-robbing carbonaceous ores and improves the recovery of precious metals by cyanidation from medium to low preg-robbing carbonaceous ores. The agent also prevents froth and foaming formation during the cyanidation process.
Claims14
A method for recovering a metal from ore or concentrate containing carbonaceous material by cyanidation leaching, the method comprising the following steps:
- a) treating the ore or concentrate containing carbonaceous material with at least one cationic surfactant in order to reduce or prevent retention of said metal or a cyanide complex of said metal by said ore or concentrate as a result of the presence of said carbonaceous material in said ore or concentrate, the ore or concentrate after said treating being designated “treated ore or concentrate”, and
- b) cyanidation leaching of the treated ore or concentrate,
- wherein the cationic surfactant is a saturated or unsaturated alkyl amine or derivative thereof,
- wherein the alkyl amine is selected from the group consisting of primary alkyl amines, secondary alkyl amines, tertiary alkyl amines and alkyl polyamines, and
- wherein the alkyl amine has an alkyl chain length of 14 to 40.
A method for recovering a metal from ore or concentrate containing carbonaceous material by cyanidation leaching, the method comprising the following steps:
- a) treating the ore or concentrate containing carbonaceous material with at least one cationic surfactant in order to reduce or prevent retention of said metal or a cyanide complex of said metal by said ore or concentrate as a result of the presence of said carbonaceous material in said ore or concentrate, the ore or concentrate after said treating being designated “treated ore or concentrate”, and
- b) cyanidation leaching of the treated ore or concentrate,
- wherein the cationic surfactant is a saturated or unsaturated alkyl amine or derivative thereof,
- wherein the alkyl amine is selected from the group consisting of primary alkyl amines, secondary alkyl amines, and tertiary alkyl amines, and
- wherein the alkyl amine has an alkyl chain length of 14 to 40.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.