Closed loop method for gold and silver extraction by halogens
US9206492B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 2014 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/20
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method for extracting precious metals from a polymetallic ore, comprising a) generating hypochlorites from a salt brine; b) chlorination of the ore using hypochlorites under acidic conditions; c) filtering to collect a pregnant solution and treating the pregnant solution for collection of precious metals; d) filtering to separate the precious metals and a barren brine; e) purifying the barren brine; and f) recycling halogens from the purified brine in the form of hypohalites formed by electrolysis of the purified brine, and comprising hypochlorite and hypobromite; step b) further comprising scrubbing excess halogens using calcium hydroxide; treating the pregnant solution in step c) comprises reducing an oxydo reduction potential of the pregnant solution and using calcium hydroxide for neutralization; and step e) comprising increasing the pH of the barren brine by addition of calcium hydroxide.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.