Rapid, ambient-temperature process for stripping gold bound to activated carbon

摘要

An improved process for stripping gold cyanide from activated carbon is disclosed. The process involves contact of gold-laden activated carbon with a strong base at ambient temperatures followed by elution with an aqueous solution containing an organic solvent, preferably aqueous acetonitrile or methanol. Gold cyanide is separated from the aqueous/organic solution by ion-exchange technology, preferably using a weak base ion-exchange resin, followed by elution with a strong base.