Leaching of gold from sulphide concentrates with thiosulphate/polysulphide produced by disproportionation of elemental sulphur in ammoniacal media

Abstract

A process for leaching gold from sulphide ores with the oxidized products of the disproportionation of elemental sulfur and OH exp - ions in the presence of phase transfer catalysis based on the research of Au leaching with mixed solutions of thiosulphate and polysulphide was developed. Over 90% of the Au present was extracted in 2 h from two concentrates tested under the conditions proposed.