Improving methods for gold recovery in artisanal and small-scale mining without the use of mercury in Ecuador

Abstract:

Despite the ineffectiveness and the environmental issues associated with the use of mercury for gold recovery, amalgamation is widely applied in Ecuador, especially in artisanal and small-scale mining operations. This paper compiles research done during 2014 by the National Research Institute in Geology, Mining and Metallurgy, through the project Improvement of the Working Conditions of Small-Scale and Artisanal Mining. Research efforts were directed to minimize the use of mercury for gold recovery, and to develop alternative methods to recover precious metals and base-metal concentrates without the use of the amalgamation process. Experimental results demonstrated that gold recovery using traditional gravity concentration and amalgamation was as low as 40%. Proposed improvements in the recovery process excludes the use of Hg, incorporates better materials for the primary gravity concentration, and includes the use of a shaking table. As a result, Au recovery may increase to about 90% and more.

Año de publicación:

2015

Keywords:

Fuente:

scopus