The effect of oxygen on the cyanidation of gold. --.

One of the important phases of the metallurgical industry is the extraction or the metals from their ores. The greater proportion of the world's gold is recovered by means of the Cyanide Process. The chemical reaction between gold and potassium cyanide has been expressed in the form of a chemical equation known as Elsner's Equation:4Au + 8KCN + 2 H2O +O2 = 4KaU(CN)2 +4KCH This equation emphasizes the necessity of oxygen as a requisite for the above react1on. Throughout the history of gold mining practice, a great deal of experimentation has been done to prove and disprove Elsner's equation; and, to a lesser degree, to determine what effect oxygen has in the dissolution of gold from an ore. [...] The purpose of the present research was to determine the effect of increases in oxygen content of cyanide solution on the rate of solution of gold in cyanide solution, using pure gold foil. Thus, by elimination of all impurities, the effects of the increase in the oxygen could be more easily interpreted. Further it was also hoped that the experiments would indicate what effect the increase in oxygen might have upon the consumption of cyanide in the process. With these ideas in mind, the following work was carried out under the direction of Professor J.U. MacEwan, Professor of Metallurgy. [...