Effect of temperature in the hypochlorite leaching of gold
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Date
2019-07
Authors
Nur Alia Bt Mohammad
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Abstract
In this research project, the bulk gold ore sample was received from the local gold mine in Pahang. Prior to the hydrometallurgical process, characterization and mineralogical study of the sample were done to determine the chemical composition, major phase presence and the minerals associated with the gold ore sample. Characterization study was done using XRD, XRF, SEM and EDX analysis. Results obtained from the SEM and EDX analysis found that the distribution of the gold partly consist of arsenopyrite (FeAsS) and quartz (SiO2). XRD phase analysis identified quartz and magnetite as a major phases in the sample. Fire assay technique gave a gold assay about 6.179 g/. Free milling gold was determined to be about 9.276 g/t. The data obtained from the hypochlorite leaching was used to determine the percentage of gold leached at varying temperature [46, 56 and 70˚C] and the concentration of calcium hypochlorite [0.25 M and 0.75 M]. Recovery of gold is limited at higher temperature with higher concentration of calcium hypochlorite. In terms of cost effectiveness and energy savings, hypochlorite leaching would be best conducted at 56˚C in 0.75 M calcium hypochlorite as it gives a high recovery of 53.86%.