GOLD

CYANIDATION
1

SATRIO HERBIROWO
3334090728 – METALLURGICAL
ENGINEERING

04/08/2021
 Outline
2

Preface

Basic Theory

Thermodynamics Aspect

Kinetics Aspect

Application

Conclusion

References

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 INTRODUCTION
3

Gold Cyanidation ? Answer :

“leaching of gold ores

with NaCN leaching
agents and the presence
of oxygen”

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BASIC THEORY
4
Elsner’s oxygen theory

Janin’s hydrogen theory

Mclaurin and Christy

Bodlander’s hydrogen peroxide theory

Cyanogen formation

Cyanate formation

Thermodynamics evidence

Corrosion theory

Kinetics evidence 04/08/2021

 Elsner’s oxygen theory
5

Elsner (1846) was the first to recognize that oxygen

was essential for the dissolution of gold in cyanide
solution
4 Au+8NaCN +O2+2H2O  4NaAu(CN)2+4 NaOH

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 Janin’s hydrogen theory
6

Janin (1888,1892) was convienced that hydrogen gas

must be evolved during the process and oxygen isn’t
required
4 Au+4NaCN +2H2O  2NaAu(CN)2+2NaOH+H2

Maclaurin (1893) and Christy (1896), that oxygen

was essential for cyanidation

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 Bodlander’s hydrogen peroxide theory
7

Bodlander (1896) suggested that dissolution should

proceed through two steps
2 Au + 4 NaCN + O2 + 2 H2O→ 2 NaOH + 2
NaAu[CN]2 + H2O2
2 Au + 4 NaCN + H2O2→ 2NaOH + 2 NaAu[CN]2
Hydrogen peroxide is formed as an intermediate
product
Total reaction is equal to elsner’s theory

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 Cyanogen formation
8

Christy (1896) suggested the oxygen necessary for

dissolution liberated cyanogen gas, which to be the
active agent for attacking gold
½ O2 + 2NaCN + H2O→ (CN)2 + 2 NaOH
2 Au + 2 NaCN + (CN)2 →2 NaAu(CN)2

Skey (1897) and Park (1898), gave conclusive

evidence that cyanogen gas not able to dissolve gold in
aqueous solutions of cyanogen
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 Cyanate formation
9

MacArthur (1905), oxygen were necessary for

cyanidation
Potassium cyanate to be formed by oxidation of
cyanide for dissolution gold

Green (1913), cyanate not able to dissolve gold

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 Thermodynamics evidence
10

Barsky et al. (1934), the free energy were in favor

Elsner and Bodlander’s equation
Whereas Janin’s equation wasn’t feasible

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 Corrosion theory
11

Boonstra (1943), cyanidation=metal corrosion process

Oxygen dissolved  reduced to H2O2 and hydroxyl ion

O2 + 2e + 2H2O→ H2O2 + 2 OH-

H2O2 + 2e → 2 OH-
Au → Au+ + e
Au+ + CN- → AuCN
AuCN + CN- → Au[CN]-
This was experimentally by Thompson (1947)

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 Kinetic evidence
12

Habashi (1966), the dissolution process is

electrochemical
2 Au + 4 NaCN + O2 + 2 H2O→ 2NaOH + 2
NaAu[CN]2 + H2O2
 Without oxygen, cyanidation is a slow reaction

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 Kinetic Effect
13

Cyanide
pH Temperature
concentration

Oxygen
Foreign ions
pressure

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 Cyanide
concentration
14

The rate of dissolution if [CN] concentration

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 pH effect
15

pH Cyanidation rate

 Temperature effect
16

Temperature cyanidation rate

 Oxygen pressure effect
17

At [CN] <<<, cyanidation rate depends only [CN]

At [CN] >>>, cyanidation rate depends PO2
 Foreign ion effect
18

Accelerating effect Retarding effect

(+) Pb, Hg, Bi, Tl salt Consumption of

dissolution oxygen
Consumption of free
cyanide from solution

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 Mechanism (Habashi’s kinetics aspect)
19

Anodic Reaction Cathodic Reaction

Au → Au+ + e O2 + H2O + 2e → H2O2

Au+2 CN- →Au(CN)2+ + 2 OH-

“Occur in the electrochemical dissolution”

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 2A ϑCN- ϑO2 [CN-][O2]
Rate = --------------------------------
 {ϑCN- [CN-] + 4 [O2] ϑO2 }
20 04/08/2021
 Application
21

PT Aneka Tambang (Persero) Tbk

(London Bullion Market Association certificated)
Capacity : 75 tons

General Flowsheet

• Zinc Powder (Merril Crowe)

• Carbon in Leach (CIL)
• Carbon in Pulp (CIP)
• Carbon in Column (CIC)

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 Conclusion
22

Cyanidation is leaching of gold ores with NaCN

leaching agents and the presence of oxygen
Cyanidation kinetics follow the rate of dissolution
kinetics Habashi
The factors affecting the rate of reaction is Cyanide
concentration, pH, temperature, oxygen pressure,
and foreign ions

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 References
23

 Habashi, F., 1997. Principle of Extractive Metallurgy Vol

III Hydrometallurgy. New York. Wiley-VCH
 Pehlke R. D., 1973 . Unit Process of Extractive Metallurgy.
The University of Michigan Ann Arbor. American Elsevier
Pub. Co
 Logsdon M. J., 1999. The Management of Cyanide in Gold
Extraction. International Council on Metals and the
Environment. Ontario
 Srithammavut W., 2008. Modeling of gold cyanidation.
Master of Science (Technology) Thesis

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24 04/08/2021
 Revision
25

1. Why added salt more than 5 mg/l makes retarding

effects?
Answer :
Kondos et al. (1995) also presented that higher
concentrations of lead nitrate can reduce gold
extraction
The retarding effect of Pb2+ is thought to be due to an
insoluble film of Pb(CN)2 which deposits on the
surface of gold. (Habashi, 1997)

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