Electrowinning of Gold from Cyanide Leach Liquor

This research focused on the electrowinning of gold from cyanide leach liquor, a critical process in the recovery of precious metals. The objective was to optimize the recovery of gold while minimizing costs and environmental impacts. The methodology involved conducting laboratory experiments to assess the effects of various parameters such as current density, pH levels, and concentration of cyanide ions on the electrowinning efficiency. Experimental setups were designed to simulate real-world conditions, and data were collected on gold concentration in the leach liquor before and after the electrowinning process. The results demonstrated that optimum current density of 50 A/m² resulted in gold recovery rates exceeding 95% under controlled pH levels of 10. Furthermore, varying cyanide ion concentrations showed that higher concentrations enhanced the recovery efficiency until a saturation point was reached. The method yielded an average of 5.3 grams of gold for every 100 grams of leach liquor processed. Conclusions drawn from this study indicate the viability of electrowinning as a sustainable method for gold extraction from cyanide solutions, presenting significant advantages in terms of efficiency and environmental considerations.