Gold Recovery from Sulfide Concentrates Produced by Environmental Desulfurization of Mine Tailings

Environmental desulfurization is gaining attention as an efficient approach to manage sulfidic mine tailings by separating sulfide minerals from tailings. While extensive research has been done reuse desulfurized in site reclamation, the responsible management or potential of valorization concentrates did not receive much attention. The objective this study was evaluate recover Au originating active gold sites. Desulfurization were produced froth flotation and characterized. Cyanidation tests gravity separation experiments performed on concentrates. concentrates, mostly composed fine particles, contained high amounts S (between 23.0 34.5% S) variable contents 0.7 1.9 g/t). Mineralogical characterization SEM showed that 99% Au-bearing particles locked, mainly pyrite (94%). allowed recovery 13 78% Au, depending concentrate. Low liberation, possibly presence Cu, identified parameters negatively affecting recovery. Gravity poorly (<50%) recovering which quite consistent with physical (small particle size) mineralogical characterizations. A concentrate reprocessing flowsheet proposed.