This paper presents research aimed at investigating the multiform and complex silver-bearing phases present in copper refinery anode slime. Commercial tankhouse slimes from the anode face, the cell bottom, and those after decopperizing were analyzed by instrumental methods and diagnostic leaching procedures. Slimes from the anode face had a total silver content of 10.4 % present mainly as Ag_2Se and metallic silver. The slimes collected from the cell bottom contained 4.3% Ag identified mostly as CuAgSe and Ag_2Se. Decopperized slimes analyzed 23.3% Ag occurring as Ag_2Se and metallic silver phases. Diagnostic leaching found elemental silver to be approximately 15%, 13%, and 55% of the total silver content for bottom, face, and decopperized slimes, respectively. Results for cyanide leaching using oxidative and non-oxidative environments were consistent with those obtained for thiourea under various conditions.
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