EFFECT OF FLOTATION REAGENTS ON THE ADSORPTION OF GOLD BY ACTIVATED CARBON

The study investigates the impact of flotation reagents on the adsorption of gold by activated carbon, a method recognized for its efficiency in gold recovery from leach solutions. With flotation of sulfide gold ores being a standard beneficiation process, this research focuses on how the type and dosage of widely used flotation reagents, specifically potassium amyl xanthate and methyl isobutyl carbinol, can influence downstream adsorption processes. A series of experiments were conducted, including the preparation of a gold standard solution, activation and fouling of the activated carbon, along with subsequent analyses. Results showed that the presence of these reagents resulted in significant fouling of the activated carbon, which led to a reduced adsorption rate and overall loading capacity for gold. Notably, potassium amyl xanthate caused a greater fouling effect than methyl isobutyl carbinol, with the fouling being more pronounced at higher concentrations of flotation reagents paired with lower amounts of activated carbon. These findings suggest that to mitigate the detrimental effects on gold adsorption, a higher dosage of activated carbon should be applied in conjunction with flotation reagents, although this could adversely affect operational costs.