LLC “Ekaterinburg non-ferrous metals processing plant – Engineering”, Verkhnyaya Pyshma, Russia:

D. V. Sudakov, Head of a Project
S. Yu. Chelnokov, Deputy Project Management Chief Executive Officer
R. E. Rusalev, Engineer, e-mail: engineering@ezocm.ru

LLC “Olimp-DM”, Verkhnyaya Pyshma, Russia:

A. N. Elshin, Director

Gold extraction from technologically refractory raw materials is one of urgent problems in extractive industry. At the expense of involving refractory goldbearing ores in industrial processing, the main increase of gold extraction in the world is planned to be provided. Many latest scientific developments in noble metal ore processing are tightly connected with the problems of gold extraction from refractory raw materials. There are considered the main problems of gold extraction from refractory pyrite and sulfide flotation and gravitation concentrates, connected with gold dissemination in rock forming minerals. The main disadvantages of modern technologies of processing of sulfide goldbearing concentrates are shown. The main chemical reactions of pyrite interaction with nitric acid are considered. There are shown the technology (ES-process) and equipment for hydrochemical oxidation of refractory sulfide gold-bearing concentrates, concluded in sulfide-bearing rock processing by water solution of nitric acid and gaseous oxygen. Design of laboratory reactor is developed for investigation of concentrate opening and auxiliary equipment complex. There is investigated the influence of oxygen, blown in reaction zone, on structural material during chemical dissolution of sulfide gold-bearing concentrates. The obtained results of pyrite dissolution show that application of this technology is promising. Nowadays, on the basis of the data, obtained during the enlarged laboratory experiments, there are carried out the works on designing the pilot industrial model of batch ES unit with reactor capacity of 1.7 m³. After pilot testings and assessments of technical and economic indicators of the process, there is planned the design of ES-reactor for continuous work.

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