Selective recovery of precious metals and copper from a medium loaded with precious metals and base metals

摘要

Described is a process for the selective recovery of precious metals from a medium loaded with precious metals and base metals. The selective recovery of precious metals is achieved by exposing the medium to an aqueous solution containing a complex of formula MX2-, wherein M is a metal of group IB or IIB of the Periodic Table of Elements, and X is a monovalent radical. Also described is the removal of copper from the medium whereby elution of copper is achieved by exposing the medium to an aqueous solution capable of oxidising Cu(I) to Cu(II) whilst not eluting precious metals from the medium.