Gold ore types are categorized in various ways based on different criteria. According to the degree of ore oxidation, they can be classified into primary (sulfide) ores, partially oxidized (mixed) ores, and oxidized ores. Oxidized ores are characterized by the presence of iron oxide, other metal oxides, and clay minerals. Based on the practical conditions and the requirements of flotation processes, gold ores can be further classified into: low-sulfide gold ores, polysulfide gold ores, gold-bearing polymetallic ores, telluride gold-bearing ores, and gold-copper ores.
These ores are typically quartz vein types, including composite quartz veins and fine vein dissemination types, with low sulfide content primarily composed of pyrite. In some cases, they may also contain copper, lead, zinc, tungsten, molybdenum, and other minerals. The natural gold particles in these ores are relatively large, and gold is the main target for recovery, with other elements or minerals having little industrial value or being recoverable only as by-products. Simple flotation processes, such as single flotation or whole mud cyanidation, can achieve high recovery rates.
In these ores, gold is predominantly found in its natural state, but a significant portion is present in gold tellurides. These ores are typically formed in low-temperature hydrothermal deposits, with gangue minerals being quartz, chalcedonic quartz, and carbonates. A combination of flotation and amalgamation processes is used to enhance gold extraction.
These ores contain high amounts of pyrite or arsenopyrite, which are also recovery targets along with gold. The gold grade is relatively low and varies little, with natural gold particles being small and often encapsulated within pyrite. Flotation is used to separate gold and sulfides, which is relatively simple; however, separating gold from sulfides requires complex flotation and metallurgical processes to achieve high recovery rates.
In addition to gold, these ores may contain copper, lead, zinc, silver, tungsten, antimony, and other metallic minerals, all of which have independent mining value. These ores are characterized by a significant amount of sulfides (10-20%), with natural gold closely associated with pyrite and often with copper and lead minerals. The natural gold is unevenly distributed with varying grain sizes. The complexity of these ores necessitates the use of complex flotation processes to achieve effective separation.
The primary difference between these ores and gold-bearing polymetallic ores is the lower gold grade, although gold remains one of the key elements for comprehensive utilization. The natural gold particle size is medium, and the association between gold and other minerals is complex. During flotation, gold is often concentrated in the copper concentrate, from which it is recovered during the copper smelting process.
Although the cyanidation process is currently one of the most widely used methods for gold extraction, the development of technology has led to the creation and application of more safe and efficient alternatives. Choosing the appropriate extraction method requires considering the characteristics of the ore, safety requirements, and environmental impacts.
Y&X's popular product YX500 gold leaching agent is an environmentally friendly alternative to
the highly toxic sodium cyanide, effectively addressing nearly all of sodium cyanide's drawbacks. YX500 has already achieved industrial production and application. The developed "combined leaching" and "on-site cleaning" technologies ensure the standard discharge of tailing pond sludge while maintaining gold leaching rates.
The main advantages of YX500 are:
1. Environmentally friendly, low toxicity, safer transportation, usage, and storage.
2. As a common chemical product, it can be transported by sea, rail, or road, reducing transportation costs.
3. Can directly replace sodium cyanide without altering any existing leaching processes.
4. Faster leaching speed compared to sodium cyanide, reducing production cycles by 30%, saving labor, reducing costs, and conserving water.
5. Good stability and increased carbon adsorption capacity, effectively enhancing the adsorption capacity of activated carbon and increasing recovery rates.
