carbon in gold leaching process

The carbon in pulp (CIP) and carbon in leach (CIL) processes are commonly used to extract gold from ores. Both processes involve the adsorption of gold onto activated carbon. In the CIP process, the ore is first ground to a fine powder, and then mixed with water and cyanide to create a slurry. Activated carbon is added to the slurry, and the mixture is agitated to adsorb the gold onto the carbon. The carbon is then separated from the slurry and the gold is desorbed from the carbon using a strong solution of sodium cyanide and sodium hydroxide.

In the CIL process, the ore is crushed and ground to a fine powder, and then mixed with water and cyanide to form a slurry. The slurry is then fed into a series of tanks where activated carbon is added. The mixture is agitated to adsorb the gold onto the carbon, and the carbon is separated from the slurry. The gold is then desorbed from the carbon using a strong solution of sodium cyanide and sodium hydroxide.

The activated carbon used in the CIP and CIL processes must be regenerated after use. This is typically done by heating the carbon in a furnace to around 750-800°C in the presence of steam or air. This process removes the adsorbed gold and other impurities from the carbon, leaving it ready for reuse.