Co-intensification of gold leaching with heavy metals and hydrogen peroxide

Co-intensification was researched to accelerate gold leaching with regards to its electrochemical nature by using anodic intensifiers of heavy metal ions (Pb2+,Bi3+,Tl+,Hg2+ and Ag+) on the basis of hydrogen peroxide assistant leaching on three different types of materials which were classified as a refractory sulphide gold concentrate,an easily leachable sulphide gold concentrate,and a low grade oxide gold ore according to their leaching characteristics.The results showed that,favorable co-intensification effects on the three materials were obtained and leaching time of gold was effectively shortened to no longer than 12 h from 16 to 24 h for hydrogen peroxide assistant leaching.For the five tested heavy metal ions,Bi3+and Tl+ presented co-intensifying effect on all the three materials,and Hg2+ caused co-intensifying effect on both refractory and easily leachable sulphide gold concentrates,and Pb2+ and Ag+ only had co-intensifying effect on the easily leachable sulphide gold concentrate.