Refractory gold bearing ores a review of

This review addresses the challenges associated with the refractory nature of gold-bearing sulphide ores and evaluates various pre-treatment methods, particularly bioleaching, from an environmental perspective. While bioleaching shows promise, its application has been limited due to slow processing times. The study introduces the IBES (Indirect Bioleaching with Effect Separation) process, which enhances the kinetics of bioleaching by effectively separating the chemical and biological components involved in the indirect contact mechanism. This optimization allows for improvements in each stage of treatment, specifically designed for high-grade sulphide flotation concentrates. The existing bioleaching methods often face limitations, as significant portions of gold in these ores exist in submicroscopic forms or are intricately locked within sulphide minerals, making recovery through conventional cyanidation inefficient. The proposed IBES process aims to address these limitations by facilitating better access to gold particles within these refractory ores. This paper highlights the need for innovative techniques in the treatment of gold-bearing sulphide ores and underscores the potential efficacy of the IBES process as a viable pre-treatment option.