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    The extraction of Pt, Pd and Au from an alkaline cyanide simulated heap leachate by granular activated carbon

    Access Status
    Fulltext not available
    Authors
    Mpinga, C.
    Bradshaw, S
    Akdogan, G.
    Snyders, C.
    Eksteen, Jacques
    Date
    2013
    Type
    Journal Article
    
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    Citation
    Mpinga, C. and Bradshaw, S. and Akdogan, G. and Snyders, C. and Eksteen, J. 2013. The extraction of Pt, Pd and Au from an alkaline cyanide simulated heap leachate by granular activated carbon. Minerals Engineering. 55: pp. 11-17.
    Source Title
    Minerals Engineering
    DOI
    10.1016/j.mineng.2013.09.001
    ISSN
    08926875
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/13990
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    A two-stage heap leach process to extract base and precious metals from the Platreef low-grade ores is currently being investigated industrially. As part of the investigation, and by analogy with current gold recovery practices, the present study investigates the preferential adsorption of precious metals (Pt, Pd and Au) over base metals (Cu, Ni and Fe) from an alkaline cyanide medium, by means of granular activated carbon. Experiments were designed statistically to optimise the process parameters using synthetic alkaline cyanide solutions similar in composition to those expected from plant leach solutions. Precious metal adsorption efficiency was studied in terms of process kinetics and recovery as a function of solution pH, and the concentrations of copper, nickel, free cyanide, thiocyanate, precious metals (Pt, Pd and Au) and activated carbon. Results of kinetic experiments demonstrated that the adsorption of PGM and Au was effective and rapid. Based on their distribution coefficients, the affinity of activated carbon for metal ions follows the selectivity sequence expressed below. [formula cannot be displayed].It was shown that adsorption rates of precious metals within the first 60 min were very high, giving more than 90% extraction. Among the different adsorption parameters, nickel concentration had the most influential effect on the adsorption process followed by the adsorbent concentration. Adsorption of Ni was found to proceed at approximately the same rate as the precious metals, showing a recovery of approximately 90% in 2 h. The kinetics of Cu adsorption were slower, with less than 30% being recovered within the 120 min period. This suggests that the co-adsorption of Cu can be minimised by shortening the residence time. Adsorption of Fe was found to be less than 5%, while the recovery of Rh was negligibly small. The effect of thiocyanate ion concentration was not as important as the effect of free cyanide ion concentration but still had some influence. Under optimal (best) conditions, for a load cycle time of 2 h and 10 discontinuous loading cycles, the loading capacity of the activated carbon for PMs was observed to be 0.64, 0.66, 0.17 mg of Pt, Pd and Au/g of carbon, respectively.

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    • The Adsorption and Elution of Platinum Group Metals (Pt, Pd, and Au) from Cyanide Leach Solutions using Activated Carbon
      Snyders, C.; Mpinga, C.; Bradshaw, S.; Akdogan, G.; Eksteen, Jacques (2013)
      This paper investigates the recovery of platinum group metals (PGMs) from a dilute cyanide leach solution containing base metals, in a manner similar to that used for gold extraction in a typical CIP process, and focuses ...
    • The application of activated carbon for the adsorption and elution of platinum group metals from dilute cyanide leach solutions
      Snyders, C.; Mpinga, C.; Bradshaw, S.; Akdogan, G.; Eksteen, Jacques (2013)
      The research presented in this paper investigated the practical aspects of the recovery of platinum group metals (PGMs) from a dilute cyanide leach solution containing base metals, in a manner similar to that used for ...
    • Recovery of Pt, Pd and Au from a cyanide solution through a carbon adsorption and elution process
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      In order to exploit lower grade and complex platinum group metal resources, cheaper and more efficient alternatives to the conventional mill-float-smelt-refine route are being sought, particularly for resources' in areas ...
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