Extraction of gold from Calabar gold dust

Authors

  • S.O. Obiorah Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
  • J.U. Odo Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
  • S.I. Okeke Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

Abstract

A statistically sampled ore from a recently discovered surface gold dust deposit in Calabar, Cross-River State, Nigeria was collected and subjected to analysis via precipitation method of hydrometallurgical route for the recovery of gold. Beneficiation process of gravity concentration and leaching (solvent extraction) using aqua regia with Hf of 1:3 for solubilization of gold was carried out followed by precipitation (reduction) of gold with sulphur dioxide. The analysis of sample using quantification showed that the percentage composition of impure Gold (Au) is 35% with Fe3O4 as the major impurity which was removed through specialized washing. A 30% recovery of Au from the ore was finally obtained.

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Published

2007-01-01

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2007): Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Section

Articles