METHOD FOR GOLD EXTRACTION FROM CYANIDE SOLUTIONS WITH DISSOLVED MERCURY CONTAINED IN THEM Russian patent published in 2012 - IPC C22B11/00 C22B3/24 C22B43/00 

FIELD: metallurgy.

SUBSTANCE: method for gold extraction from cyanide solutions with dissolved mercury contained in them, gold-bearing ores formed during leaching, involves sorption of gold and mercury on activated carbon with enrichment of activated carbon with gold and mercury. Then, gold desorption is performed with alkali-cyanide solution under autoclave conditions, gold electrolysis from strippants so that cathode deposit is obtained and its remelting is performed so that finished products are obtained in the form of raw base gold alloy. Prior to gold desorption the selective desorption of mercury is performed by treatment of saturated carbon with alkali-cyanide solution containing 15-20 g/l of sodium cyanide and 3-5 g/l of sodium hydroxide, at temperature of 18-20°C and atmospheric pressure during 10 hours.

EFFECT: simplifying the method due to mercury desorption in a separate cycle prior to gold desorption; improving selectivity of gold extraction and creation of possibility of safer conditions during processing of cathode deposits so that finished products are obtained.

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