Flotation enrichment of resistant gold ores

Abstract

Ores of the Vasilkovsky deposit include arsenopyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, marcasite, gold, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, faded ore (tennantite)S, bismuthine, native bismuth, lellingite, molybdenite, cubanite, bornite, antimonite, relict minerals, magnetite, apatite and apatite chromite, sericite, chlorite, potassium feldspar, tourmaline), quartz, carbonates (siderite, ankerite, calcite), fluorite, barite. Arsenopyrite is the main ore mineral. It contains the bulk of gold, as well as impurities - copper, cobalt, nickel, bismuth, zirconium, titanium, lead, zinc, antimony, silver, molybdenum. Bismuth and its minerals are widespread, they are constantly associated with arsenopyrite, forming intergrowths with native gold, less often with chalcopyrite and faded ore. Native gold is distributed very unevenly, forms the finest precipitates ranging in size from tenths of a micron to 0.063 mm, grows together with quartz, arsenopyrite, pyrite and bismuth minerals. Rich ores were formed by combining bismuthcontaining associations with arsenopyrite. The role of gold in arsenopyrite increases with depth. Ores are of the gold-quartz-sulfide type. Quartz in ore up to 90 %, sulfides from 3 to 5 %. The content of harmful impurities (arsenic) reaches 2 % or more. Ores are refractory, require special technology for the beneficiation and extraction of gold.