Comparison of selected activated carbon brands' characteristic properties for gold adsorption: a case study at goldfields Ghana Limited (GGL), Tarkwa Mine
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Date
2014
Authors
Abaka Wood, G.B.
Asamoah, R.K.
Abbey, C.E.
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Conference paper
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UMaT Biennial International Mining and Mineral Conference, 2014, pp.1-5
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3rd UMaT Biennial International Mining and Mineral Conference (30 Jul 2014 - 1 Aug 2014 : Tarkwa, Ghana)
Abstract
The characteristic properties(micro-porous structure, internal surface area, surface activity, adsorption capacity, and mechanical strength and wear resistance) of activated carbon (AC) deployedfor gold (Au) adsorption/recovery are influenced by the carbon source and method of manufacture. Goldfields Ghana Limited (GGL) uses a blend of Chemquest (CQ) and PicaGold (PG)AC for aurocyanide ions (Au(CN)2-)adsorption from leach liquor during carbon-in-leach (CIL). Variability of invariable low grade ore mineralogy, as cyanide amenable ore gets depleted, suggests reconsideration of the available brands of ACfor effective and efficient Au adsorption. In this paper, carbon attrition, particle size distribution (PSD), relative activity and Au loading capacity of NoritGranular (NG),Norit Extruded (NE), Acarb (AB), Haycarb (HB), Corecarb (CB), Chemquest (CQ) and PicaGold (PG) ACbrand shave been investigated. Results show that % attrition of all AC brands selected were within GGL’s tolerable limits of 8%. PSD of all brands except NE show that over 70% of closely sized AC particles are> 2.00 mm. The highest relative activity of NG (136.51 %), NE (91.04 %), AB (138.42 %), HB (132.01 %), CB (131.70),CQ (121.88 %), and PG (140.60 %) A Coccurred in the size range - 2.00 + 1.18 mm. Au loading capacity was in the order NG > PG > CQ > HB > AB > CB > NE after 24 hrs in plant slurry. PQ is best for processes with processing time less than24 hrs. Au loading capacity of all AC brands were also affected by AC – particle and pulp – particle interaction as lower Auwas adsorbed in slurry compared with clarified standard Au solution
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Copyright 2014 The Author(s)