Effect of inorganic compounds in the activated carbon phase and in solution on the adsorption of gold(I) cyanide complex

Inorganic impurities (ash) in the composition of activated carbons of the H-type (AG-90, WSC-208C, and Norit RO 3515) and their effect on the adsorption of Na[Au(CN)2] from alkaline cyanide solutions were studied. Variants of presorption acid washing of carbons to raise their reactivity in the sorption process of Au(I) recovery from cyanide solutions and pulps and the order of technological procedures for diminishing the loss of Au(I) and adsorbent were considered. The effect of some solution components on the adsorption kinetics of the noble metal was characterized.