A novel non-cyanide extraction method of gold for high As-Sb-bearing refractory gold ore based on Mn-oxide ore acidic oxidation

The present pre-processing of the As-and-Sb-bearing refractory gold ore has some flaws in the tediously flow, low treatment, and metal extraction efficiency. Based on these considerations, a whole wet gold extraction way combined Mn-oxide hydrochloric acid oxidation with acidic chlorination leaching for the As-and-Sb-bearing refractory gold ore was proposed in this study. The dissolution efficiencies of As, Sb, and Au leaching ratios, mineral phase transformation, and electrochemical behavior during the process were measured. It can be illustrated that the pre-oxidation of the gold ore by Mn-oxide oxidation controlled Au-extraction efficiency, and with the dissolution of 93.3 % As and 92.5 % Sb from the gold ore in the usage of Mn-oxide-assisted hydrochloric acid oxidation process, it obtains Au extraction ratio of 97.2 % by chlorination leaching. The pretreatment efficiency of the unmanageable gold ore is positively related to temperature and acidity increased due to the redox of Mn-oxides and As-Sb-Fe-sulphides. The wet process performs as an efficient non-cyanide method for gold extraction from the As-and Sb-bearing sulphide refractory gold ore.