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Gold Cyanidation Process

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The gold cyanidation process is the most important method ever developed for extracting gold from
its ores. The reasons the widespread acceptance of cyanidation are economic as well as
metallurgical. It usually obtains a higher recovery of gold than plate amalgamation and is easier to
operate than the chlorine or bromine process. It produces the final product in the form of practically
pure metal. Thus the production from a large cyanide mill will be represented by a comparatively
small gold bar, which is easy to transport. Accordingly gold mines can be located in relatively
inaccessible districts served only by aeroplane or mule train.

However, the gold metallurgist must be familiar with the other processes of gold treatment, such as
amalgamation and flotation, as they are frequently used as an auxiliary to the cyanide process.

General Theory on Cyanidation of Gold

Before going into the theory of the cyanidation process, a brief review of the chemical properties of
gold may be beneficial.
Gold does not oxide (tarnish) at ordinary temperatures nor is it soluble in sulphuric, nitric or
hydrochloric acids. It does dissolve in aqua regia (a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acid) also in
some chlorine and bromine compounds. On the latter reaction was based the bromo-cyanide method
used on some refractory ores in the early days of gold mining in Australia. Gold is soluble in mercury,
uniting with it to form amalgam. However, the main chemical property of commercial interest is that
gold is soluble in dilute cyanide solutions.

The basis of the cyanide process is that weak solutions of sodium or potassium cyanide have a
preferential dissolving action on small particles of metallic gold and silver over other materials usually
found in gold ores. However, there are a few minerals known as cyanicides that have deleterious
effects which are discussed later.

Cyanide is the general descriptive term applied usually to sodium cyanide, NaCN. However, the early
work in cyanidation was based on the use of potassium cyanide and strengths of solution as well as
basic formulae are still in terms of that chemical. It is to be noted that the cyanogen radical (CN)
actually has the dissolving power, the alkaline base of potassium calcium or sodium merely giving a
chemical stability to the compound.

The main difference between the alkaline cyanides, aside from their cost, is their relative dissolving
power. This depends entirely on the percentage of cyanogen radical present.

Eisner’s equation is generally accepted as expressing the action of gold in dilute cyanide solutions; 4
Au+ 8 KCN + O2 + 2H2O = 4 KAu (CN)2 + 4 KOH. Thus, when fresh surfaces of gold are exposed to
the action of cyanide in an aqueous solution containing free oxygen, a gold cyanide compound will be
formed and a hydroxide (alkaline).

Cyanide Solutions

Strength of solution is usually about one pound of cyanide (KCN equivalent) to a ton solution (water).
This is usually sufficiently strong for most straight cyanide circuits and experimental work has shown
that maximum dissolving power is obtained at this strength. Furthermore, a weak solution is less
affected by cyanides, and danger of poisoning from fumes formed by evaporation in hot weather is
decreased.

Gold sulphide concentrates, obtained by table concentration or flotation, are frequently treated by
higher strength solutions. These concentrates usually require very thorough study, as outlined later.

Strength of solutions is usually expressed in pounds of equivalent potassium cyanide per ton of
solution. 1 lb. cyanide to 1 ton of water = 0.05% solution; 2 lb., 10%, etc.

Temperature of solution is also important in maintaining efficient dissolving action. Especially in cold
climates, the solutions are frequently heated to about 70 °F. Above this temperature the loss of
cyanide by decomposition becomes a serious factor. Theoretically, gold dissolves fastest in a solution
at a temperature of 138 °F.

Density of Leach Solutions

To maintain maximum capacity and minimum loss of valuable material in solution, it is usually
advisable to maintain the utmost densities in the mill circuits. It should be kept in mind that for every
ton of water added to the mill circuit, a ton of water must be removed to maintain equilibrium. This
discharged solution not only contains reagents, such as lime and cyanide, but also dissolved gold,
even if only in minute quantities.

The higher the density of the feed to the agitator the greater the capacity of the agitator, or
conversely, smaller or fewer agitators are required. Assuming an ore where the solids have a specific
gravity of 2.6, one ton of solids as 30% solids (70% solution) will occupy 86.7 cubic feet, while at 50%
solids will only occupy about half that space, namely, 44.31 cubic feet. Also there is apt to be more
settling of sand fractions which may cause mechanical difficulties when treating a dilute pulp.
Accordingly agitator densities are usually kept from 30% to 60% solids, Grinding capacity in a ball mill
is also limited if the density drops below 70% solids.

Effect of Aeration on Cyanidation Process

Another of the prime requisites of successful cyanidation is free oxygen. Pure oxygen is too
expensive to use, instead atmospheric air is the customary source of the required oxygen gas. Some
interesting experiments have been conducted using Ozone but the practice has not been adopted
commercially on account of the cost.

For efficient dissolving, it is necessary that the air come in actual physical contact with the gold
particles. As these particles are usually very sparsely distributed through the pulp, it means that the
air bubbles should be thoroughly dispersed and a huge excess be used beyond theoretical
requirements of air. Under the subject of Side Air¬lift Agitators will be found required air volumes.

Oxidizing agents have also been used. These oxidizers may be sodium peroxide, potassium
permanganate or manganese dioxide. They act in two ways—by a nascent or active condition and so
accelerating the dissolving of gold, and by oxidizing deleterious impurities that may be present in the
ore or solution.

It has been found in some mills that due to increases in tonnages or changes in the ore, that extra
aeration is necessary. Various methods have been used for this, one of which is reported, of placing a
ring of air jets around the circumference of each of the agitators. In this particular instance, the
agitators were 18’x21′ and eight of these jets were placed on each ring. The jets consist of ¼” pipe,
running from a 1″ header, equally spaced around the circumference of the agitator tank and projecting
10′ under the surface of the pulp. High pressure air from the mine compressors was used Violent
aeration and agitation resulted, in addition to regular air-lift agitation of these machines.

Another method is based on the dispersal of the flow of pulp as it enters the various tanks in one
large thick stream. At this property trays were built of 1/16″ steel plate about 4″ high and 2′ square. To
the bottom of these trays was welded ¼” mesh steel screen plate. These baskets or screens were
hung about 1′ under each discharge launder, or pipe, and the flow of the pulp stream spread to cover
as much of the screen as possible. In this way a single stream of pulp was converted into many
streams. On one side of the screen, an inch or so below, a 1″ pipe connected with the main
compressed air line is anchored. Small holes about 1″ apart are punctured along its length facing the
flow of pulp. When the air is turned on, the many streams of pulp passing through the screen are
thrown across the tank in very small particles. The pulp in this way is much better aerated than under
the former method.

Another method noted in the field is the insertion through the sides of the tank, well below the top of
the pulp, of ¾” pipe, the ends of which have rubber hose about 6″ long securely wired to them. The
end of this rubber hose in turn is fastened by a wooden plug securely wired in place. Then a fine slit is
cut lengthwise along the bottom of the rubber hose with a penknife. When the compressed air is
turned on, the air pressure is sufficient to open this slit and allow the air to bubble into the agitator.
However, if for any reason the air pressure drops, the rubber slit automatically closes on the reduction
of the pressure and no pulp enters the air piping.

Decomposition Process of Reagents

As has been previously outlined, the amount of reagents actually required for dissolving the gold is
extremely small. However, frequently the amount of reagents used is much higher and certain causes
should be recognized and, if possible, remedied. These may be briefly listed as follows:
 1. Impure Water
2. Cyanicides
3. Mechanical losses

The source of water is very important, not only from the viewpoint of the quantity available at all times,
but also the quality. In some districts the only water available is from small lakes or ponds and, as
such, is frequently contaminated with organic material and soluble salts. This water may be highly
reducing in its action. Extra lime treatment may be necessary before this water joins the mill return
stream. Lead nitrate solutions may be added to aid in the precipitation of the soluble salts. Chemical
oxidizers such as potassium permanganate are also used. Some of these problems are also
discussed further under the heading of “Clarification.”

Certain materials known as cyanicides may be present in the ore. A cyanicide may be defined as a
natural occurring material that destroys cyanide. Pyrrhotite is one of the best known. It combines with
the cyanide giving ferro-cyanide and sulpho- cyanide. It is stated that stibnite requires extremely low
alkalinity to prevent its solubility in solution. The reverse is true in the case of sphalerite, where high
lime tends to reduce zinc solubility.

Ores often contain copper, antimony, arsenic, cobalt or nickel sulphides which go into solution through
the action of the cyanide.

Although the dissolving rate of these materials may be controlled to some extent, the solutions in time
will lose their potency due to being re-cycled. Then it is necessary to bleed off part of the fouled
solution and restore the balance by the addition of fresh stock. After the solutions have been
deaerated and precipitated, it is also necessary to positively aerate them before being again used.
This aeration is frequently accomplished by allowing the stream of solution to fall vertically several
feet into an open solution tank. This aeration not only restores the free oxygen to the solution, but
also partially regenerates some of the combined cyanide.

Mechanical losses occur in two ways:

1. Accidental losses.
2. Inherent losses.

The first is due to spills and leaks on account of poor launder design and tank spillages. Losses also
occur when it is necessary to dump agitators, classifiers or thickener tanks, due to power failures or
mechanical difficulties.

Inherent losses may also be considered from two viewpoints, namely, those occurring only in a new
circuit, and those occurring continuously. The first is due to solutions soaking into the fresh wood
tanks and may occur over a period of two or three months. The second is due to losses from filter
discharges, etc. Naturally it is desired to keep these losses at a minimum, as they are a flat charge
against the cost of operation. For example, a filter cake may have 10 to 12% moisture in it. A heavy
water wash on the filter will reduce the amount of chemicals in this moisture, while re-pulping and
second filtration may be advisable in some cases. A cost analysis in every case is desirable.
Effect of pH in Cyanidation
To reduce the amount of cyanide destroyed, lime is added to the solution to maintain a “protective
alkalinity.” It is usual to keep this alkalinity at from ½ to 1½ lbs. per ton of solution. Lime has a further
beneficial effect of hastening settlement of finely ground rock, or slimes, in thickeners, and it further
precipitates certain undesirable substances.

In order that the lime will begin its protective action as soon as possible, it is usually added with the
fresh ore in the ball mill. It may be added dry or as a milk of lime. Frequent and systematic sampling
of mill solutions at various predetermined points in the dissolving circuit is advisable. Then the
operator can control the lime and cyanide strength and be certain at all times that minimum required
strength is being maintained. Cyanide is usually added in the freshly aerated solution pumped to the
grinding circuit, although sometimes blocks of cyanide may be suspended in baskets in a dissolving
circuit to remedy some local trouble.

Cyanidation during Grinding Process

Attention will now be given to the theory of the various mechanical stages. Of these the most
important from the cost viewpoint is grinding, which may account for 40 to 70% of total process cost.

Grinding is usually performed in a ball mill for the purpose of reducing the ore to sufficient fineness
that the gold particles may be exposed to the dissolving action of the cyanide solution. This dissolving
action may begin either in the ball mill or in the agitators. In the former case, the grinding is done in
cyanide solution. If metallurgically possible, this is highly advisable, as 30% to 85% of the gold is
usually dissolved here, thus greatly relieving the metallurgical load on the agitators. The dissolving
conditions in the grinding circuit are ideal, as the fresh metallic faces, as exposed, are instantly
brought in contact with the cyanide solution, which usually is at a comparatively high temperature.

However, some ores contain cyanicides that necessitate pre-liming, that is, grinding in alkaline water.
These solutions are then thickened to remove this deleterious material before the cyanide is added.
This is often necessary when treating concentrates.

As a general rule, the finer the state of division of the gold, the finer the grinding required. This
particularly applies to ores where the gold is intimately associated with the sulphides. It is usually
considered also that the finer the grind, the higher the percentage of extraction. However, it is
necessary to maintain an economic balance inasmuch as the cost of grinding greatly increases with
the fineness of grind, and frequently the ore becomes harder to grind at finer meshes. Over-grinding
may not only result in very fine slimes which are hard to handle in thickeners, but may also result in
coating the gold particles with foreign matter hammered into them, by the falling action of grinding
balls.

In some ores a large percentage of the gold occurs with the sulphides, which may only constitute a
small proportion of the ore. Extremely fine grinding may be necessary to liberate this gold from the
enclosing sulphides. In these cases, if the entire mill feed was entirely ground, the cost of the
operation would be very high. It is usually advisable to remove sulphides from the primary grinding
circuit and give them a separate grinding treatment.
The Mineral Jig is being widely used to do this work. This machine may be operated with a continuous
discharge, if desired, to feed the sulphides to a small regrind unit. In closed circuit with this secondary
circuit may be installed Super-Agitators to aid the dissolving of the gold in this refractory material.
These super-agitators were especially developed to give the intense agitation and aeration necessary
on this type of material. Tailing from this unit then joins the main cyanide circuit. Flotation cannot be
used, as cyanide is a strong depressant for sulphides.

By using a secondary grinding circuit as outlined above, the main classifier overflow may be
comparatively coarse, as it contains mainly gangue material. Any fine gold attached to the clean
quartz particles would quickly be dissolved, and thus the length of contact time in cyanide may be at a
minimum. The gold in the sulphides, which requires fine grinding, is given a separate intensive
treatment. However, as this separate portion represents only a small percentage of the mill feed, the
cost of installation and operation is materially reduced over that required if the complete tonnage were
given this thorough treatment.

Grinding in ball mills is done wet because of the higher efficiency of wet over dry grinding, and of the
dissolving effect that is available in the solution.

Control of size of finished particle is maintained by classifier of either the rake or spiral type. The
fineness of grind is usually specified by the percentage of finished material that will pass through a
standard screen. For example, 70% minus 200 mesh. The capacity of the ball mill is usually
considered to vary as the 2.83 power of the diameter and directly as the length. As the effective
diameter of the ball mill is measured inside the liners, it is important to know exactly whether the
diameter of the ball mill in question is measured inside the shell or inside the liners when calculating
capacity.
Classification

The purpose of classification is to control the size of the material being fed to the dissolving or
agitation circuit. The discharge from the ball mill flows into the classifier where it is split into a sand
and slime portion; the sand particles being returned by mechanical means to the feed end of the ball
mill, while the material of predetermined fineness overflows the discharge end of the classifier and is
ready for the agitation circuit. This step is termed “grinding in closed circuit’’ and greatly increases the
efficiency of the entire grinding circuit.

This is due to the fact that the particles as ground sufficiently fine are removed from the pulp by the
classifier and sent to subsequent treatment while the coarse particles are returned for further grinding.
Thus the power consumed by the ball mill, which is a major factor in any milling circuit, is kept at a
minimum.
Cyanide Concentration in Grinding Circuit
For efficient operation of the cyanide circuit, it is necessary to remove the coarse gold from the
grinding circuit as soon as it is released, otherwise this gold will become lodged behind the liners of
the ball mill and not be recovered until the ball mill is relined. It may also be lodged in the classifier
and thickener tanks. Especially in a small high- grade mill, this may be a serious tie-up of gold.
Furthermore, coarse gold particles are slow to dissolve in cyanide solution, and accordingly there is a
possibility that they will be discharged in the mill tailing before being completely dissolved. A further
advantage is that this removal increases the capacity of the grinding circuit. This removal is either
done by blankets, traps, concentrating tables or the Mineral Jig.

In the Little Long Lac district of Ontario, Canada, five of the mills are cyanide mills and five are
flotation mills. Of the former, three grind in cyanide solution and two in water before cyanidation. All
ten mills have either blankets, strakes, jigs, unit cells or combinations of these in their primary
grinding circuit. Six employ amalgamation to recover a proportion of the gold. The following table
shows the methods used in concentrating the gold in the grinding circuit at several mills and
percentage of
gold reported as recovered by these means:

A further benefit is that this reduces the size of the mill building and in cold climates, the cost of
heating is a major item. Furthermore, the mineral jig acts as a safety valve for the cyanide section. It
enables the use of smaller agitators. Lower grade solution is going to the thickeners and so the final
soluble loss is lowered. It further has the effect of reducing the amount of solution that is handled by
the precipitation system, thus lowering the cost of this unit and the amount of chemicals involved.

Thickening
Thickening may be defined as the mechanical process whereby excess solution is removed from a
pulp. Frequently the classifier overflow contains more water than is desired in the succeeding
agitations units. Therefore, the excess rich solution is removed by thickening and sent to precipitation.

To determine the capacity required, it is necessary to conduct settling tests but certain main factors
may be considered in operation of the thickener:

1. The greater the specific gravity, the more rapid the settling rate.
2. With the same specific gravity, larger particles will settle faster than smaller particles.
3. Round or cubicle shaped grains will settle more rapidly than irregular shaped particles.
4. With an increase in temperature, the viscosity of the solution is decreased and, therefore,
the settling rate increases.
5. Lime frequently acts as a coagulant to improve the settling rate of fine material.
6. Area of the thickener is the main function of its capacity.
7. The depth of the thickener tank influences the capacity depending on the dilution of feed
and the dilution of the underflow.
8. Slime will settle to a maximum density beyond which it will not compress further.

Most thickeners in cyanide circuits are operated so that the slime level will be from 6″ to 1′ below the
overflow. In this way a clear solution is obtained from the overflow launder. This slime level is carefully
watched and measured during the shift, due records being kept. If it should rise, it is necessary that
either the tonnage be reduced or certain coagulants such as additional lime be added to further
flocculate the slimes. Starch solution is sometimes used for this purpose also but is more generally
considered to aid in the clarification process.

Effect of Agitation in Cyanidation

Agitation may be considered as the mechanical method of mixing the pulp with an excess of air in
circular tanks of sufficient capacity to allow the balance of the gold to dissolve in the cyanide solution.
These agitators are of various types of construction, being divided basically into two types, namely,
those depending entirely on airlifts and secondly, those depending on a combination of air and
mechanical stirring. The first is best known as the Brown or Pachuca tank in which the height is at
least three times the diameter. It depends entirely for its stirring action on a column of air rising from
the central bottom cone.
The mechanical agitators use an excess of air in the side or centre airlifts for elevating and aerating
the pulp while depending on mechanical stirring devices at the bottom to help keep the pulp
suspended.

To prevent short-circuiting of material, it is advisable that at least two agitators be used in series, and
preferably three, instead of one large agitator. With some refractory ores, it is also advisable to
consider inserting an extra thickener in the agitation circuit so that the strong cyanide solution may be
removed and fresh added to aid in the slow dissolving. The efficiency of an agitator is also dependent
on the method of introduction of the air, as finely dispersed air bubbles are necessary for a fast
dissolving action. The pulp dilution is kept to a minimum to reduce the size of agitators necessary and
to prevent undue settlement of the sands.

Clarification
After the gold-bearing solution is removed from the thickeners and before it is sent to precipitation, it
is necessary that the impurities and suspended solids be removed. This is done by the process of
clarification and it is on the efficiency of this step that the entire precipitation cycle depends.

Various types of equipment are available for this work. However, the basic principle of most of them is
essentially the same and consists in sucking the solutions through a canvas or other coarse filtering
medium which is suspended by means of a frame in the solution tank. This filtering medium is
frequently coated with inorganic material such as diatomeceous earth to assist in the filtering process
and to aid in the removal of the fine slime.

It is absolutely essential that the solutions after clarification be absolutely clear. It is also essential that
precipitation take place immediately after clarification and de-aeration, otherwise there is danger of
contamination of the solution. Besides the lime that is added to the thickeners to aid in the
coagulation of the slime, it is sometimes necessary to take additional steps to obtain efficient
clarification.

For example, reference is made in the February, 1936 issue of Mining and Metallurgy of the use of
caustic starch at the Dome Mill in Northern Ontario as introduced by Mr. C. B. Dowsett. At that mill the
grinding is done in water and the solutions pre-aerated before cyaniding. Lime is added during the
pre-aeration. Trouble occurred in the large silica content in gold precipitate. This was caused either by
the zinc precipitating the silicia from solution or else acting as a coagulant for dispersed silicia gel. By
the addition of a compound of starch and caustic soda, the slime settlement was greatly improved
and the precipitation was run satisfactorily for ten to fifteen days instead of from the three to five days
as formerly. The quantities used at the Dome are 16 pounds of starch and 8 pounds of caustic soda
for each 1500 tons treated each day.

The caustic starch is prepared as follows:

To 40 parts of water kept boiling in a drum by the use of steam, is slowly added one part of starch
made into a slurry with four parts of cold water. The mixture is then boiled for ten minutes, after which
is added half a part of caustic soda dissolved in water. After boiling another ten minutes, the solution
is diluted to a convenient degree to permit accurate metering into the pulp flowing into the thickeners.
The reagents should be added sparingly at first for in some instances increased flocculation in
thickeners may adversely affect concentration, especially where very fine grinding is demanded.

Reference is also made in a recent issue of the Mining Magazine (London) to the use of starch in the
thickeners of the Raub Australian Gold Mining Company. At that property, trouble was experienced in
thickening of the flotation concentrate and this was remedied by the use of a starch addition. To make
the caustic starch employed, five gallons of water were added to 40 pounds of tapioca flour to form a
lump-free slurry and this was slowly stirred into 35 gallons of boiling water, stirring continuously until
the proper solution had been effected. This is then causticized with 1.2 pounds of sodium hydrate in
solution and stored for use. About two pounds of this caustic starch were added to the thickener for
each ton of concentrate.

Process of Gold Precipitation by Zinc

After the solution has been clarified and immediately preceding precipitation, it is necessary to
remove the dissolved oxygen from the solution. This is done by a de-aeration process developed and
marketed by the Merrill-Crowe Process. For further information on this process, reference is made to
that company’s bulletins.

The gold is then removed from the solution by precipitation with zinc dust. Dust is used instead of the
zinc shavings formerly employed on account of the large surface area made available. The method is
based on the fact that gold and silver are electro-negative to zinc and that the following reaction
occurs in the precipitation process.

KAu (CN)2+2KCN+Au+H2O=K2Zn (CN)4+Au+H+KOH

The following reaction may also occur which will account to some extent for the excess of zinc
consumption over theoretical needs:

Zn+4KCN+2H20 = K2Zn (CN)4 + 2KOH + H2

Soluble lead salts such as lead acetate or lead nitrate are sometimes added to cyanide solutions to
form with the zinc a zinc-lead couple of greater activity as a precipitant than zinc alone. Frequently a
drip of strong cyanide solution is also added to the zinc mixing cone feeding material to the solution.

In case difficulties are experienced in the precipitation process, it is advisable to thoroughly check the
clarification and also the airlines leading to the de-aeration process. An air leak in this latter operation
may have serious affect on precipitation.
Screen Analysis — Microns
To determine the finest fractions of a gold pulp it is necessary to use other mechanisms than the
conventional laboratory screen. The Haultain infrasizer used with the Haultain Superpanner is most
widely used in Canada for this purpose. Screen analyses are specified in micron (one mm=10³
microns). A 200 mesh Tyler Screen has an opening of 0.074 mm. = 75 microns. Finer relationships
are:

Flotation and Cyanidation versus Whole Ore Cyanidation

A thorough study of this subject is contained in an interesting article by J. P. Dick entitled “Mining and
Metallurgy at Moneta Porcupine”. The following comparison is given:

Increase in cost of crushing and grinding is due to finer ball mill feed and regrinding flotation
concentrate before cyaniding to 64%—10 microns.

To supplement these figures it should be considered that where metallurgically possible, lower cost
per ton will be produced from a combination circuit. However this should not be accepted blindly, as
the author believes that below 100 tons a day straight cyanide circuit will be cheaper to operate.
A further point to consider is that frequently the ore at the surface of a property is comparatively easy
to treat, and a straight cyanide circuit is naturally installed, usually with a mineral jig in the grinding
circuit to remove free gold. As further development is done in depth the character of the ore frequently
changes to include primary gold- bearing sulfides. Sufficient tonnage has also been blocked out to
warrant mill expansion. Then the logical action is to install flotation cells to remove the sulfides, which
are reground and cyanided in the original cyanide mill. Only a new grinding circuit, in addition to the
flotation machine, is needed to increase the mill capacity. The ultimate increase will depend on the
ratio of concentration obtainable by flotation with a flotation tailing that can be economically
discarded. This ratio and consequent increase may range from 2:1 up to 35:1.

Even if the flotation tailing cannot be economically discarded, as such, these are certain additional
considerations. For example: one concentrator with a very low record of cost feeds the flotation tailing
to a hydroclassifier. The slime overflow is discarded. The sand fraction is given an agitation of about
four hours, resulting in small agitators, and on account of the fast settling characteristics of the sand,
thickeners with a capacity of about 0.3 sq. ft. per ton are successfully operated. Accordingly a very
small, compact, cyanide mill was installed.
Batch Cyanidation of Gold
The batch process of cyanidation is usually applied in two different types of mills:

Where the amount of material to be treated is quite small.

At some properties the type of material being handled is quite erratic and so to obtain the maximum
extraction the batch method is used. The material is agitated, with perhaps several solution changes,
until final assay of residue is satisfactory. Then the material is discharged from the tanks.
Super agitators with float decantation devices and bottom discharges are ideal for this type of work.

Cyanidation—Sand Leaching

Canadian and American cyanide practice usually results in grinding all the ore to a uniform fineness
—“all sliming.” This is made possible by modern crushing and grinding equipment, and by modern
continuous thickeners and agitators. This practice overlooks many of the advantages of the sand

Where the material to be treated is quite erratic in nature.

The first type is exemplified by Guysborough Mines Ltd. The flowsheet for which is shown here,
leaching systems that are being successfully operated in other parts of the world.

Especially on low grade gold ores the use of sand leaching should be carefully considered. It has an
advantage of allowing a coarse grind and a comparatively simple plant. The main requirement is, of
course, that the major part of the gold, can be dissolved at the coarse grind.

In practice, efficient classification is absolutely essential for the successful operation of a leaching
plant. Even a small percentage of slimes will seriously reduce or even destroy the porosity of the sand
bed. Size of particle in the feed is of little concern as long as granular.

Accordingly the discharge from the grinding circuit is classified, the overflow being either treated
separately in a slime circuit or discarded, according to its value. The sand is pumped to one of a
series of large diameter shallow tanks with porous false bottoms. The sand is evenly distributed in the
tank by means of a mechanical distributor. Cyanide solutions may be introduced from the bottom and
allowed to percolate upwards, or fed from the top and allowed to seep downwards. Usually the
strongest cyanide solution, with the required dissolved lime, is added first, followed by weaker
solutions and then one or more water washes. Between each percolation the sands should be
allowed to drain so that air will reach the gold particles being dissolved.

After the percolation has been completed, the sand is usually discharged through doors in the bottom
of the tank onto a conveyor belt that removes it to the tailing pile. Some operators prefer final washing
in a series of washing classifiers after cyanidation in the tanks has been completed.

The number of percolation tanks required depends on the tonnage capacity of each tank, the daily
tonnage, and the total time required for a cycle of operations. Leaching and washing may require from
two to ten days depending on the ore.
Flowsheet C1

This flowsheet is for a medium grade ore where a high recovery is made by the Mineral Jig in the
grinding circuit and where a large percentage of the fine gold is dissolved during grinding. The
solution is then sufficiently high grade to warrant removal by the primary thickener and sending to
precipitation. Fresh aerated solution is then added to the agitators where the remainder of the gold
should be dissolved.

Three agitators are shown. A multiple number is necessary to minimize the possibilities of short
circuiting of pulp. This is especially important when treating high grade pulp.

Secondary thickening is sometimes omitted, with the agitator pulp going direct to filtration. This can be
done with low grade pulp, the agitators being operated at a high density. However in most cases the
secondary thickener is advisable as it stabilizes the load to the filter, both in tonnage and density,
allows flexible operations of the preceding agitators and decreased soluble loss by reducing the
soluble feed to the filter.

Two stages of filtration are also used in some mills. A repulper may be used to run fresh water with
the discharged cake from the primary filter or a mechanical agitator may also be inserted to insure
thorough mixing.

Solution flows will depend on the type of ore being treated, and, frequently the personal ideas of the
mill operator. Ample storage capacity without fluctuations of head is necessary.

Continuous Counter-Current Decantation

The CCD system of washing cyanide pulps is the logical development of the introduction of the
continuous slime thickener and the batch method of cyanide decantation. In operation, a series of
thickeners is used. Pulp is fed into one end of the series, water into the other end.

The flow of pulp and water is thus in the opposite directions. Accordingly the pulp becomes
progressively lower in soluble content as it passes to the discharge. Conversely, the water added at
the discharge end passes forward, increasing in strength in lime, cyanide, and dissolved gold.

The CCD system is used to take the place of, or supplement, filtration. Soluble loss is usually higher
than filtration with heavy water wash. Space required in a mill is greater. But operating costs are
usually lower.
It is possible to calculate the soluble losses in a CCD system by a series of simultaneous equations.
For the details of the mathematics concerned refer to E. M. Hamilton’s “Manual of Cyanidation.”

Precipitation by Charcoal/Carbon
Taking advantage of the natural tendency of charcoal to absorb gold dissolved in cyanide solution, the
Chapman process (U. S. Patent 2,147,009) may have applications to unusual types of gold ores. It is
not claimed that this method can compete with present cyanide methods when the ore to be treated is
easily cyanided. However it has interesting possibilities for future consideration.

The ball mill, in closed circuit with a classifier, is fed with ore, cyanide, lime, and carbon as charcoal.
The classifier overflow is thickened and then agitated. The gold is dissolved by the cyanide solution
and then its soluble gold-cyanide compound is absorbed by the finely divided charcoal. Flotation then
recovers the charcoal.

In the application of the Chapman process to a high grade gold ore, tailing from the primary flotation
circuit is again floated in a scavenger circuit, the low grade concentrate from which is fed to the
grinding circuit.

Chapman states that the double-stage process is not as complicated as might appear: for low grade
tailing satisfactory absorptions have been obtained with two lb. of charcoal per ton, and three to
seven lbs. for ore assaying up to 0.4 oz. gold per ton using the double-stages process. Thick pulps
give better results than thin pulps. Silver is not as effectively treated as gold.

It is estimated that the capacity of a flotation machine floating the charcoal would be about three times
that treating sulfides.
The charcoal concentrate is filtered, dried, and shipped to a smelter. Or it may be dried, burned,
briquetted and then shipped to a smelter.
Absorption of gold in various tests have ranged from 65% to 85% with recovery of the carbon from
90% to 99%.

Treatment of Graphitic Gold Ores

Carbon acts as a precipitant of gold and thus when occurring in an ore as graphite will cause
premature precipitation. At some properties it has been found that the addition of kerosene to the ore
as ground in water reduces the precipitating power. The graphite is then skimmed as a froth from the
top of the thickeners.

Flotation has also been successfully used to treat graphitic ores. The graphite may be floated or
depressed. Details are contained in Ore Dressing Notes No. 9, American Cyanamid Co., January
1939; also TP 481 of the U. S. Bureau of Mines, by Leaver and Woolf.

Gold Cyanidation TestWork

From the above information it will be considered that the principles of cyanidation are simple.
However, every ore is different and to learn the characteristics of the particular ore before a mill is
built it is necessary that thorough test work be conducted. The cost of this test work will be the
cheapest item of the expense of the mill.

Source: This article is a reproduction of an excerpt of “In the Public Domain” documents held in
911Metallurgy Corp’s private library.

by David Michaud | June 8, 2016 | Cyanide Leaching, Gold Extraction | cyanidation

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