GOLD CYANIDATION

SATRIO HERBIROWO 3334090728 METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING

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Outline
2 Preface Basic Theory Thermodynamics Aspect Kinetics Aspect Application Conclusion References

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INTRODUCTION
3

Gold Cyanidation ?

Answer :

leaching of gold ores with NaCN leaching agents and the presence of oxygen

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BASIC THEORY
4 Elsners oxygen theory
Janins hydrogen theory Mclaurin and Christy Bodlanders hydrogen peroxide theory Cyanogen formation

Cyanate formation
Thermodynamics evidence Corrosion theory

Kinetics evidence

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Elsners oxygen theory

5

Elsner (1846) was the first to recognize that oxygen

was essential for the dissolution of gold in cyanide solution 4 Au+8NaCN +O2+2H2O 4NaAu(CN)2+4 NaOH

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Janins hydrogen theory

6

Janin (1888,1892) was convienced that hydrogen gas

must be evolved during the process and oxygen isnt required 4 Au+4NaCN +2H2O 2NaAu(CN)2+2NaOH+H2
Maclaurin (1893) and Christy (1896), that oxygen

was essential for cyanidation

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Bodlanders hydrogen peroxide theory

7

Bodlander (1896) suggested that dissolution should

proceed through two steps 2 Au + 4 NaCN + O2 + 2 H2O 2 NaOH + 2 NaAu[CN]2 + H2O2 2 Au + 4 NaCN + H2O2 2NaOH + 2 NaAu[CN]2 Hydrogen peroxide is formed as an intermediate product Total reaction is equal to elsners theory

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Cyanogen formation
8

Christy (1896) suggested the oxygen necessary for

dissolution liberated cyanogen gas, which to be the active agent for attacking gold O2 + 2NaCN + H2O (CN)2 + 2 NaOH 2 Au + 2 NaCN + (CN)2 2 NaAu(CN)2

Skey (1897) and Park (1898), gave conclusive

evidence that cyanogen gas not able to dissolve gold in aqueous solutions of cyanogen
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Cyanate formation
9

MacArthur (1905), oxygen were necessary for

cyanidation Potassium cyanate to be formed by oxidation of cyanide for dissolution gold

Green (1913), cyanate not able to dissolve gold

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Thermodynamics evidence
10

Barsky et al. (1934), the free energy were in favor

Elsner and Bodlanders equation Whereas Janins equation wasnt feasible

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Corrosion theory
11

Boonstra (1943), cyanidation=metal corrosion process

Oxygen dissolved reduced to H2O2 and hydroxyl ion

O2 + 2e + 2H2O H2O2 + 2 OHH2O2 + 2e 2 OH-

Au Au+ + e
Au+ + CN- AuCN AuCN + CN- Au[CN] This was experimentally by Thompson (1947)

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Kinetic evidence
12

Habashi (1966), the dissolution process is

electrochemical 2 Au + 4 NaCN + O2 + 2 H2O 2NaOH + 2 NaAu[CN]2 + H2O2 Without oxygen, cyanidation is a slow reaction

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Kinetic Effect
13

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Cyanide concentration
14

The rate of dissolution

if [CN] concentration

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pH effect
15

pH

Cyanidation rate

Temperature effect
16

Temperature cyanidation rate

Oxygen pressure effect

17

At [CN] <<<, cyanidation rate depends only [CN]

At [CN] >>>, cyanidation rate depends PO2

Foreign ion effect

18

Accelerating effect

Retarding effect

(+) Pb, Hg, Bi, Tl salt

Consumption of

dissolution

oxygen Consumption of free cyanide from solution

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Mechanism (Habashis kinetics aspect)

19

Anodic Reaction

Cathodic Reaction

Au Au+ + e Au+2 CN- Au(CN)2+

O2 + H2O + 2e H2O2

+ 2 OH-

Occur in the electrochemical dissolution

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2A CN- O2 [CN-][O2] Rate = ------------------------------- {CN- [CN-] + 4 [O2] O2 }

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Application
21

PT Aneka Tambang (Persero) Tbk

(London Bullion Market Association certificated) Capacity : 75 tons

General Flowsheet

Zinc Powder (Merril Crowe) Carbon in Leach (CIL) Carbon in Pulp (CIP) Carbon in Column (CIC)
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Conclusion
22

Cyanidation is leaching of gold ores with NaCN

leaching agents and the presence of oxygen Cyanidation kinetics follow the rate of dissolution kinetics Habashi The factors affecting the rate of reaction is Cyanide concentration, pH, temperature, oxygen pressure, and foreign ions

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References
23

Habashi, F., 1997. Principle of Extractive Metallurgy Vol

III Hydrometallurgy. New York. Wiley-VCH Pehlke R. D., 1973 . Unit Process of Extractive Metallurgy. The University of Michigan Ann Arbor. American Elsevier Pub. Co Logsdon M. J., 1999. The Management of Cyanide in Gold Extraction. International Council on Metals and the Environment. Ontario Srithammavut W., 2008. Modeling of gold cyanidation. Master of Science (Technology) Thesis

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Revision
25

Why added salt more than 5 mg/l makes retarding effects? Answer : Kondos et al. (1995) also presented that higher concentrations of lead nitrate can reduce gold extraction The retarding effect of Pb2+ is thought to be due to an insoluble film of Pb(CN)2 which deposits on the surface of gold. (Habashi, 1997)
1.

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