Extraction of Gold from Eastern Transvaal Concentrates by Roasting and Cyanidation

摘要

It has long been recognized that sulphidic flotation concentrates from the eastern Transvaal contain relatively high concentrations of gold, a certain proportion of which, even after roasting, is refractory. Gold-bearing sulphide deposits are increasing in economic importance in South Africa, and the study forms part of a larger, on-going investigation into such deposits. The aim of the investigation was the determination of the extent of gold extraction obtainable from three different flotation concentrates from the eastern Transvaal by roasting, followed by cyanidation. Some insight was obtained into the behavior of the refractory gold component in the cyanided calcine by means of a detailed study of the roasting process.