METHOD OF PREPARING CONCENTRATE FOR RECOVERING PRECIOUS METALS Russian patent published in 2005 - IPC

FIELD: precious metal technologies.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to preparing concentrates for recovering precious metals from clay-salt wastes from enterprises processing K-Mg ores and rock salt. It can be likewise used for recovering a component in the form of solid particles in suspension wherein liquid phase may be constituted by two or more constituents different in solubility and/or density. Above-indicated concentrate is prepared by two- or three-step hydrocyclonation of sludges with solids-to-liquid ratio 1:3 producing insoluble sludge sediment. In the first step, concentrate is produced in the form of coarse fraction of insoluble sediment. First-step drain in the form of fine fraction of insoluble sediment and salt solution is adjusted to solids-to-liquid ratio 1:8 and subjected to cleaning in the second hydrocyclonation step to produce concentrate in the form of residual fraction of insoluble sediment and second-step drain in the form of salt solution. The two concentrates obtained are further combined. In case of high residual content of insoluble sediment in the second-step drain, additional hydrocyclonation step is employed. Concentrate is suitable for chlorinating firing allowing to recover Au, Pt, and Pb metals from clay-salt wastes (sludges).

EFFECT: enhanced process efficiency.

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