استخلاص الذهب بتشريب السيانيد

إذابة الذهب من الخام باستخدام كيمياء اكتُشفت عام 1887

Metallurgy & Metal Processing Global Industrial Scale $220 billion

نظرة عامة

Gold cyanidation dissolves gold from crushed ore using dilute sodium cyanide solution, a process patented by MacArthur and Forrest in 1887. Despite gold's famous chemical inertness, it dissolves readily in aerated cyanide solution due to the extraordinary stability of the gold-cyanide complex [Au(CN)₂]⁻. This process recovers over 90% of gold from ore and accounts for approximately 90% of all gold produced worldwide. Gold is recovered from the cyanide solution by adsorption onto activated carbon (CIP/CIL) or by zinc cementation (Merrill-Crowe process).

العملية الكيميائية

Crushed and milled gold ore (typically 1-10 g Au/ton) is leached in dilute NaCN solution (0.02-0.05%) at pH 10-11 with air sparging for 24-72 hours. Gold dissolves as [Au(CN)₂]⁻. In the CIL (carbon-in-leach) process, activated carbon is added to the leach tanks to adsorb the gold complex. Loaded carbon is stripped with hot caustic cyanide, and gold is recovered by electrowinning onto steel wool cathodes, followed by smelting to dore bullion.

4Au + 8NaCN + O₂ + 2H₂O → 4Na[Au(CN)₂] + 4NaOH (Elsner equation — gold dissolution in aerated cyanide)
Au(CN)₂⁻ + C(activated) → Au(CN)₂⁻·C (carbon adsorption)
2Au(CN)₂⁻ + Zn → Zn(CN)₄²⁻ + 2Au (zinc cementation, Merrill-Crowe)

المواد الخام

  • Sodium cyanide (NaCN) — Andrussow process (HCN from CH₄ + NH₃ + O₂) + NaOH (Gold complexing agent (lixiviant))
  • Crushed gold ore — Open pit or underground gold mining (Gold source (1-10 g/ton typical))
  • Calcium oxide (CaO, lime) — Calcination of limestone (pH control (maintains pH >10 to prevent HCN))

المنتجات النهائية

  • Gold dore bullion — Refined to 99.99% gold for investment, jewelry, electronics (85-95% Au, remainder Ag and base metals)
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Environmental Impact

Cyanide is extremely toxic to all forms of life. Tailings dam failures (Baia Mare 2000, Samarco 2015) have caused devastating environmental disasters. Cyanide-bearing tailings require detoxification (typically with H₂O₂ or SO₂/air). The International Cyanide Management Code provides voluntary standards. Mercury amalgamation by artisanal miners causes severe mercury pollution.

اعتبارات السلامة

الابتكارات الحديثة

Thiosulfate leaching (non-toxic alternative) is commercially applied at Barrick's Goldstrike mine (Nevada).
Glycine-based gold leaching is being developed as a milder alternative.
Cyanide destruction using INCO SO₂/air process reduces WAD cyanide to <1 ppm in tailings.
Gold recovery from electronic waste (urban mining) uses selective leaching.

حجم الإنتاج

3500

طن/سنة

$220 billion

القيمة السوقية

المزيد في %(name)s Metallurgy & Metal Processing

Frequently Asked Questions

What industry uses استخلاص الذهب بتشريب السيانيد?
استخلاص الذهب بتشريب السيانيد is used in the metallurgy & metal processing sector at global industrial scale scale.
What process is involved in استخلاص الذهب بتشريب السيانيد?
Crushed and milled gold ore (typically 1-10 g Au/ton) is leached in dilute NaCN solution (0.02-0.05%) at pH 10-11 with air sparging for 24-72 hours. Gold dissolves as [Au(CN)₂]⁻. In the CIL (carbon-in-leach) process, activated carbon is added to the leach tanks to adsorb the gold complex. Loaded car
What is the economic significance of استخلاص الذهب بتشريب السيانيد?
استخلاص الذهب بتشريب السيانيد has a market value of $220 billion and annual production of 3,500 tons.
What is the environmental impact of استخلاص الذهب بتشريب السيانيد?
Cyanide is extremely toxic to all forms of life. Tailings dam failures (Baia Mare 2000, Samarco 2015) have caused devastating environmental disasters. Cyanide-bearing tailings require detoxification (typically with H₂O₂ or SO₂/air). The International Cyanide Management Code provides voluntary standa
What raw materials are used in استخلاص الذهب بتشريب السيانيد?
The main raw materials include: Sodium cyanide (NaCN), Crushed gold ore, Calcium oxide (CaO, lime).