An Investigation of the Flotation Behaviour of the Sulphide Gold Ores

Abstract

In this thesis, flotation behavior of a refractory gold ore with high sulphide content (S% 5) and production of a flotation concentrate with high gold content were investigated. Pre-concentration of sulphidic gold ores to produce gold with high recovery and high grade before leaching (bioleaching, cyanide leaching) is a common method in mineral industry. During experimental study, the relationship between the gold recovery and sulphur recovery was analyzed. The effects of different types of collectors, pH, fineness of grinding, activation with CuSO4, sulphidization and pulp density on flotation performance were examined. The results showed that there is a linear relationship between gold and sulphur recovery. At the end of the flotation experiments, a preconcentrate with high gold and sulphur content was produced and the concentrate was leached. According to the results of the leaching tests, high cyanide and lime consumption with low gold recovery was observed due to the high sulphur content in the concentrate.