Recovery of Metal Values Prior to Reclamation of Mined Areas in the Southwest

摘要

The objective of this investigation was to determine the feasibility of recovering precious metals from abandoned mine dumps in Mohave County, AZ. Thirteen mine dumps and/or tailings ponds were sampled in the vicinity of Oatman, AZ. Analysis of 39 samples showed that two sites had sufficient gold and silver to merit metallurgical testing. Cyanide heap leaching tests showed that about 30 percent of the precious metals could be extracted in 10 days from either site. Lime and cyanide consumption were low. It was concluded that extraction might be economically feasible.