Enhanced gold recovery based on joint ore and waste processing

Abstract

The authors present the gravity concentration-and-flotation technology for joint processing of gold ore and placer gold mining waste ensuring high gold recovery. The research is carried out using samples of ore from a primary gold deposit under mining and from waste of gold placer mining in the Yano- Kolyma gold province in the Russian Federation. The feature of the technology is the use of bullion gold in the gold flotation circuit. Bullion gold is recovered from gold placer mining waste by gravity concentration. The ore and waste processing by gravity concentration and flotation is based on the jet flow of feed material and rough concentrate. The second flotation stream circuit uses the technology of aerosol column flotation. The efficiency of investment to joint processing of gold ore and placer gold mine waste is evaluated.