Activated Carbon for Gold Mining

Activated Carbon used in gold mining application:
In the realm of gold mining, activated carbon emerges as a crucial player, facilitating the extraction of precious metal from ore deposits. Its unique properties make it an indispensable material in the recovery process, ensuring efficient gold adsorption and subsequent recovery from cyanide leach solutions.

Activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal, undergoes a process of activation, resulting in a highly porous structure with a vast surface area. This porous nature enables activated carbon to effectively adsorb various substances, including gold ions, from solutions. Commonly derived from carbonaceous materials such as wood, coal, or coconut shells, activated carbon finds widespread application in industries ranging from water purification to gas purification, and notably, in the extraction of gold from ore solutions.
In gold mining operations, activated carbon plays a pivotal role in the recovery of gold from cyanide leach solutions. 
This process, known as carbon-in-pulp (CIP) or carbon-in-leach (CIL), involves several key steps.
Firstly, the gold-containing ore is crushed and ground to liberate the gold particles. The resulting slurry is then mixed with a cyanide solution, initiating the leaching process whereby gold is dissolved into a solution known as a pregnant leach solution (PLS). Subsequently, the PLS is passed through tanks containing activated carbon, where gold ions are selectively adsorbed onto the carbon surface.
Following adsorption, the activated carbon is separated from the solution, and the gold is then desorbed from the carbon using a caustic/cyanide solution, resulting in a concentrated gold solution. Finally, the gold is recovered from the solution through electro-winning, while the spent activated carbon is regenerated for reuse.

Kalimati (SWARNASORB™) Activated carbon made with selectively thicker coconut shells, uniformly activated and with stringently controlled particle size offers several advantages in gold mining applications. Firstly, its large surface area and pore structure enable it to adsorb significant quantities of gold from dilute solutions, ensuring efficient gold recovery. Additionally, activated carbon exhibits a high affinity for gold ions, making it a selective adsorbent for gold extraction. Furthermore, the ease of regeneration through thermal treatment allows for multiple cycles of carbon use, rendering it a cost-effective option for gold recovery operations. 

Lastly, activated carbon is non-toxic, aligning with sustainability goals in the mining industry and making it a preferred choice over alternative adsorbents.

Activated carbon stands as a cornerstone in the realm of gold mining, facilitating the efficient extraction of gold from cyanide leach solutions. Its unique properties, including high adsorption capacity, selectivity, ease of regeneration, and environmental compatibility, underscore its indispensability in gold recovery processes worldwide.