Dissolution of gold in chalcopyrite-containing cyanide solutions

Abstract

The gold dissolution in anoxic cyanide solution in the presence of chalcopyrite was studied with a rotating disc electrode. It was found that the presence of chalcopyrite reduced and enhanced the dissolution activity of pure gold in the low and high potential regions, respectively. The dissolution of gold was diffusion-controlled at low potentials (≤177 mV) and low cyanide concentrations (≤980 mg/L); however, above the cyanide concentration of 980 mg/L, the current density of gold decreased and the dissolution of gold changed from diffusion-control to electrochemical reaction-control. At high potentials (>177 mV), gold dissolution was always controlled by diffusion. In cyanide solution containing chalcopyrite, appropriate increase of pH value and temperature could accelerate the dissolution of gold, but high pH value would promote the generation of passivation, which was harmful for the dissolution of gold in cyanide solution.

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