Kazakhstani scientists have developed a new gold mining technology

Kazakh scientists have presented a new technology that improves the efficiency of gold extraction from refractory ores while simultaneously reducing processing costs, reports DKNews.kz.

The development has already successfully passed laboratory testing and is being considered a promising solution for further industrial implementation.

The work was carried out by specialists from the branch of the National Center on Complex Processing of Mineral Raw Materials of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a branch of the Kazmekhanobr State Scientific and Production Association of Industrial Ecology.

The project was implemented under the supervision of:

• Deputy Director for Research
• Leading Researcher, Laboratory of Precious Metals
• PhD, Associate Professor Bauyrzhan Surimbayev

The research was conducted under grant funding AP19677446.

This development is a response to one of the main challenges in modern gold mining: the gradual depletion of rich deposits and the increasing share of complex ores.

Traditional processing methods:

• do not always provide high gold recovery
• require expensive reagents
• depend on strict process conditions

Therefore, scientists began searching for more efficient and cost-effective solutions.

Kazakh researchers developed two approaches - one for:

• oxidized ores
• sulfide gold-bearing ores

For oxidized ores, a pre-treatment technology was developed:

• with hydrogen peroxide
• with sodium acetate

Prior to heap leaching, this increased gold recovery:

• up to 7%
• up to 10–14% with combined use of reagents

For sulfide ores, intensive cyanidation was used.

For processing sulfide ores, scientists proposed producing a high-grade gravity concentrate followed by intensive cyanidation.

The use of sodium acetate allowed:

• an additional increase in gold recovery up to 4%
• a reduction in metal content in processing tailings
• a reduction in the use of expensive reagents

The developers believe this makes the technology more cost-effective.

The project has received international recognition. Its high scientific level is confirmed by publications in international scientific journals.

The following research results have been published:

• 2 monographs
• 4 articles in Q1 and Q2 journals

The works are indexed in:

• Scopus
• Web of Science

The research has been published in the following journals:

• Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review
• Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration
• Heliyon

The project also includes training specialists. One PhD student is completing preparation for his dissertation defense on this topic.

The next stage will be industrial testing of the technology.

The developers also intend to continue searching for new reagent solutions to improve the efficiency of processing various types of gold ore raw materials.

Experts note that new ore processing technologies are particularly important for Kazakhstan, as one of the countries with a large mining and metallurgy sector.

This development could help:

• increase the depth of raw material processing
• increase the extraction of precious metals
• reduce production costs
• strengthen the position of domestic science
• improve the efficiency of the gold mining industry

Source: kokshetau.asia