Extraction of gold from Boulangrite ore by ammonium thiocyanate (NH 4 SCN)

Abstract

In this study extraction of gold from Boulangerite ore (Pb 5 Sb 4 S 11 ) via ahydrometallurgical leaching process was studied. Boulangerite ore sample was collected from Shishy Valley, Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The Influence of various parameters on the extraction of gold from boulangerite ore was investigated i.e., the amount of ammonium thiocyanate, leaching time, particle size of ore and temperature. Ore with particle size in the range 100-300 mesh gave satisfactory yield values. An increase in amount of ammonium thiocyanate and boulangerite ore, leaching time and particle size resulted in an increase in the amount of leached gold. At optimal conditions the extraction of gold was observed to increase from 32% to 80.69%.