Abstract

KIANINIA, Y.; KHALESI, M.R.; SEYEDHAKIMI, A.  and  SOLTANI, F.. Flotation of mercury from the tailings of the Agh-Darreh gold processing plant, Iran. J. S. Afr. Inst. Min. Metall. [online]. 2017, vol.117, n.1, pp.83-88. ISSN 2411-9717.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2411-9717/2017/v117n1a12.

The feed ore to Agh-Darreh gold processing plant (Takab City, Iran) contains 2 ppm Au, 7 ppm Ag, and 120 ppm Hg. After cyanide leaching of the feed at pH 10.4, 80% of the total mercury (in the form of cinnabar and metacinnabar) goes to the tailings dam. In this research, separation of mercury from the tailings by flotation was investigated. The effects of collector type and dosage, pH, and the number of cleaner stages were studied. The results showed that after two stages of cleaning a 40-62% recovery of Hg at a grade of 14.3% Hg is attainable. Recycle water from a test in which 50 g/t amyl xanthate and 30 g/t pine oil was used in the flotation stage showed no adverse effect on the leaching and adsorption of gold onto activated carbon.

Keywords : mercury removal; tailings; leaching; flotation; Agh-Darreh.

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