Parametric Study on the Adsorption of Gold onto Activated Carbon from Gold Cyanide Solutions

Abstract

The adsorption process is one of the major processes in gold extraction industry; Activated carbon is the most widely used adsorbent. This study investigates the effect of the adsorbent concentration, initial gold concentration, pH, contact time, agitation and total dissolved solids on the adsorption of gold onto activated carbon from gold cyanide solutions.

Adsorption was found to be strongly affected by adsorbent concentration, agitation, contact time and pH, while the effect of initial gold concentration of gold cyanide solution and the T.D.S was found to be limited.

Optimum values obtained from the study were 10 mg/l, 10, 70 r.p.m for adsorbent concentration, pH, agitation respectively to achieve more than 90% adsorption at less than 40 minutes contact time at ambient temperature and pressure.

Keyword: Adsorption, Gold, Activated Carbon, Cyanide