Studies on the solvent extraction of gold from cyanide media

Abstract The recovery of gold from real cyanide solutions using commercial quaternary amines was studied. The quaternary amines exhibited good selectivity for gold over base metals, fast reaction kinetics, high loading capacity and low water solubility. The use of an aromatic diluent, such as Solvesso 150, was required to prevent the formation of emulsions. The feasibility of running a continuous circuit was demonstrated with a pilot plant campaign. Gold can be eluted efficiently with acidic thiourea and air sparging or recovered in metallic form by incinerating the organic solvent. Solvent extraction appears to have a great potential for the recovery of gold from cyanide solutions.