Ionic Exchange &
Extraction by Solvents

The use of pitches of ionic exchange as an alternative to the use of carbon in the recuperation of gold from pulps and cyanidated solutions have recently been in studying and developing, especially in South Africa.

In finding a pitch which has ample acceptation would be in presence of a presence of a process which would offer a series of advantages above the carbon as the case of the minor Triability and minor requirement of energy in elution and regeneration.

For this one must demonstrate a great selectivity for the gold, efficiency for elusion and solution to the problem created by the small sizes of the resins.

When the resins are used for working with the pulp, the process is called Resin in Pulp or RIP. The most adecuate reactor in this case is the pachuca type with the use of airs for the sifting of the resin.

A new method in the ionic exchange is the quelant vitrokele reactive wich is used joined to a porous sustrate as it is with the poliestirene.

In relation to the extraction by solvents, we can mention that it has received a renewed interest, both in the United States as in South Africa. As a matter of fact, a commercial application exists which recuperates gold and uranium in a collective form, followed by an electrodepositation. The direct precipitation and reduction from the organic phase is also being studied.