Electrokinetic in situ leaching of gold from intact ore

Martens, Evelien; Prommer, Henning; Dai, X.; Sun, Jing; Breuer, P.L.; Fourie, Andy

doi:10.1016/j.hydromet.2018.04.003

Cited by 23 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The multidimensional and flow‐through perspective on multicomponent ionic transport in heterogeneous clayey formations introduced in this study could also be extended to fully 3‐D setups where complex anisotropy and flow topology may play a major role (e.g., Chiogna et al, ; Cirpka et al, ; Ye et al, , ). Further developments are also envisioned for engineering application in which the proposed model can be extended to systems involving external electrical gradients and electrokinetic transport and/or distribution of amendments in the subsurface (e.g., Alizadeh et al, ; Appelo, ; Martens et al, ; Reddy & Cameselle, ; Sprocati et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multicomponent Ionic Transport Modeling in Physically and Electrostatically Heterogeneous Porous Media With PhreeqcRM Coupling for Geochemical Reactions

Muniruzzaman

Rolle

2019

Water Resources Research

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Low-permeability aquitards, such as clay layers and inclusions, are of utmost importance for contaminant transport in groundwater systems. Although most dissolved species, contaminants, and clay surfaces are charged, the role of electrostatic interactions in subsurface flow-through systems has not been extensively investigated. This study presents a two-dimensional multicomponent reactive transport investigation of diffusive/dispersive and electrostatic processes in homogeneous and heterogeneous clay systems. The proposed approach is based on multiple continua and is capable to accurately describe charge interactions during ionic transport in the free water, diffuse layer, and interlayer water of charged porous media. The diffuse layer composition is simulated by considering a mean electrostatic potential following Donnan approach, whereas the interlayer composition is calculated by adopting the Gaines-Thomas convention. Diffusive/dispersive fluxes within each subcontinuum (free water, diffuse layer, and interlayer) are calculated solving the Nernst-Planck equation while maintaining a net zero-charge flux. Furthermore, the multidimensional flow and transport model is coupled with the geochemical code PHREEQC, by utilizing the PhreeqcRM module, thus enabling great flexibility to access all PHREEQC's reaction capabilities. The code is benchmarked in 1-D systems against other software and previously published experimental data. Successively, reactive transport simulations are performed in 2-D clayey-sandy flowthrough domains with spatially variable physical and electrostatic properties at both laboratory and field scales. The results reveal that different properties of surface charge, diffuse layer, and Coulombic interactions impact the transport of charged species and lead to distinct spatial distribution of the ions in the different subcontinua and to significantly different breakthrough curves.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multicomponent Ionic Transport Modeling in Physically and Electrostatically Heterogeneous Porous Media With PhreeqcRM Coupling for Geochemical Reactions

Muniruzzaman

Rolle

2019

Water Resources Research

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“…On the basis of a previously published design ( 40 , 44 , 45 ), a laboratory-scale EK-ISL apparatus was constructed to carry out 1D experiments ( Fig. 2A ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward a more sustainable mining future with electrokinetic in situ leaching

et al. 2021

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Metals are currently almost exclusively extracted from their ore via physical excavation. This energy-intensive process dictates that metal mining remains among the foremost CO2 emitters and mine waste is the single largest waste form by mass. We propose a new approach, electrokinetic in situ leaching (EK-ISL), and demonstrate its applicability for a Cu-bearing sulfidic porphyry ore. In laboratory-scale experiments, Cu recovery was rapid (up to 57 weight % after 94 days) despite low ore hydraulic conductivity (permeability = 6.1 mD; porosity = 10.6%). Multiphysics numerical model simulations confirm the feasibility of EK-ISL at the field scale. This new approach to mining is therefore poised to spearhead a new paradigm of metal recovery from currently inaccessible ore bodies with a markedly reduced environmental footprint.

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“…Application of direct current to make easy in situ leaching of gold from subeconomic ores, combined with electrokinetics, has been proposed recently [20,21]. However, the lixiviant used was a mixture of iodide (I − ) and tri-iodide (I3 − ) solution.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recovery of valuable metals from mining and mineral processing waste

Panayotova

Panayotov

2020

E3S Web Conf.

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Ammonia-thiosulfate-copper leaching, aided by a direct current electrochemical impact, is proposed to extract gold (Au), silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) from old flotation tailings mixed with waste rock. Over 80 % of Au available in the waste material and over 75 % of Cu and Ag were extracted into the pregnant leach solution (PLS) at room temperature. Electrowinning from that PLS recovered around 92 % of Au and Cu, and about 87 % of Ag in the cathode deposit that is suitable for further metallurgical refining. The results are better, compared to leaching in the same system but without electrochemical impact and at air addition. The proposed direct current aided method is promising and more environmentally friendly compared to cyanide and even to sodium thiosulfate leaching.

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Electrokinetic in situ leaching of gold from intact ore

Cited by 23 publications

References 36 publications

Multicomponent Ionic Transport Modeling in Physically and Electrostatically Heterogeneous Porous Media With PhreeqcRM Coupling for Geochemical Reactions

Multicomponent Ionic Transport Modeling in Physically and Electrostatically Heterogeneous Porous Media With PhreeqcRM Coupling for Geochemical Reactions

Toward a more sustainable mining future with electrokinetic in situ leaching

Recovery of valuable metals from mining and mineral processing waste

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