Mercury Removal From Gold Cyanide Leach Solution

The Bureau of Mines investigated selective extraction of Au and Ag from a low-grade Au ore containing Hg. Gold and silver were extracted from the ore in cyanide slurries, and Hg extraction was suppressed with sodium or calcium sulfide. Maximum Au extraction and minimum Hg extraction were obtained using solutions containing 0.34 lb NaCN/ton of solution. Increasing the cyanide concentration increased Hg extraction without increasing Au extraction. Mercury extraction from the ore was suppressed with 0.5 to 2.9 lb CaS/lb Hg in the ore. Gold-to-mercury ratios of 100:l to 400:l were obtained in the leach solution, and on the activated carbon in a CIP circuit.