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Biotechnological Approaches to Facilitate Gold Recovery from Double Refractory Gold Ores

In: Heavy Metals - Their Environmental Impacts and Mitigation

Author

Listed:
  • Keiko Sasaki
  • Kojo T. Konadu

Abstract

Double refractory gold ore (DRGO) not only include ppt levels of gold grains locked in sulfide minerals but also a problematic amount of carbonaceous matter. This causes a significant recovery loss of gold during cyanidation because of the strong affinity of the Au(CN)2- with the carbonaceous matter. Combustion decreases the carbonaceous matter content, but also emits pollutant gases like CO2, SO2 and As2O3. Therefore, environmentally-friendly solutions have been explored by using biotechnology. Due to the very small amount of the above targets in the ore, it is challenging to show evidential changes in solid-phase before and after the biomineral processing of DRGO. This chapter introduces the mineralogical and chemical changes in the various solid residues produced during a sequential biotreatment, consisting of the liberation of gold from sulfides by an iron-oxidizer and decomposition of carbonaceous matter by lignin-degrading enzymes (lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, laccase) secreted from a white rot-fungus, which successfully improved of gold recovery to over 90%. In addition, further development of biotechnology in the recovery of gold from DRGO is addressed.

Suggested Citation

  • Keiko Sasaki & Kojo T. Konadu, 2021. "Biotechnological Approaches to Facilitate Gold Recovery from Double Refractory Gold Ores," Chapters, in: Mazen Nazal & Hongbo Zhao (ed.), Heavy Metals - Their Environmental Impacts and Mitigation, IntechOpen.
    • Handle: RePEc:ito:pchaps:218327
    DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.94334
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    Keywords

    double refractory gold ore; carbonaceous matter; enzyme reaction; QEMSCAN map; biooxidation of sulfides;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

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