Processes for the regeneration of cyanide from thiocyanate

Citation
Mm. Botz et al., Processes for the regeneration of cyanide from thiocyanate, MIN MET PR, 18(3), 2001, pp. 126-132
Citations number
19
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Geological Petroleum & Minig Engineering
Journal title
MINERALS & METALLURGICAL PROCESSING
ISSN journal
0747-9182 → ACNP
Volume
18
Issue
3
Year of publication
2001
Pages
126 - 132
Database
ISI
SICI code
0747-9182(200108)18:3<126:PFTROC>2.0.ZU;2-2
Abstract
Cyanidation processes for the extraction of gold or silver frequently invol ve the processing of sulfur-containing solids that react with cyanide to fo rm thiocyanate. The formation of thiocyanate is an undesired side reaction, and in many cases thiocyanate formation results in a prohibitively high cy anide consumption. With the increasing number of gold and silver mining pro jects that involve the processing of sulfide ores or concentrates or that u tilize a biological sulfur oxidation process, more attention is being focus ed on minimizing thiocyanate formation and in treating solutions to elimina te toxicity associated with thiocyanate. Though not yet commercially applie d, there are several processes available to recover cyanide from thiocyanat e to reduce tailings toxicity and to allow the reuse of cyanide otherwise l ost to thiocyanate formation. This paper presents an overview of processes available for recovering cyanide from thiocyanate along with estimated oper ating costs for the processes. Pilot testing data suggests that in some cas es cyanide can be recovered from thiocyanate for approximately the same cos t as newly purchased cyanide.