XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 1769
Effect of Ultrasound on Pyrite Crystal
To understand a bit more on the impact of ultrasonic leach-
ing on the microstructure of the gold tailings sample, SEM
analysis was conducted before and after ultrasonic pretreat-
ment of silicate powder and pyrite crystal. The choice to
focus on these crystals was based on the high amount of
gold found associated with these minerals in the tailings
sample as revealed by QEMSCAN analysis. The analyses
were done to verify the validity of the hypothesis that ultra-
sonic leaching can lead to the mechanical damage and sur-
face renewal of solid particles through micro jets and shock
waves that are generated by the cavitation process.
The SEM analysis of silicate and pyrite sample shown
in Figure 4 and Figure 5 highlighted the presence of cracks
and cavities on the surface of a particle of silicate and pyrite
samples after ultrasonic exposure. The mechanical damage
was more pronounced on the pyrite crystal surfaces than
on the silicate crystals. Before ultrasonic treatment, a slice
of the silicate and pyrite crystal surfaces was smooth with
no easily visible scratches (Figure. 4a and 5a). After 5 hours
of ultrasonic treatment in deionized water, the silicate and
pyrite surfaces was seriously corroded (Figure 4b and 5b).
The presence of cracks and cavities on mineral surfaces is a
sign that ultrasound can greatly enhance the efficiency of
the extraction of gold particles in pyrite and silicate miner-
als, as it exposes the previously encapsulated gold to the
leaching solution and increase the surface area of the miner-
als for more effective leaching.
Figure 3. Gold recovery on different methods
Figure 4. (a) SEM images of silicate powder before, and (b) after ultrasonic pre-treatment
(a) (b)
Effect of Ultrasound on Pyrite Crystal
To understand a bit more on the impact of ultrasonic leach-
ing on the microstructure of the gold tailings sample, SEM
analysis was conducted before and after ultrasonic pretreat-
ment of silicate powder and pyrite crystal. The choice to
focus on these crystals was based on the high amount of
gold found associated with these minerals in the tailings
sample as revealed by QEMSCAN analysis. The analyses
were done to verify the validity of the hypothesis that ultra-
sonic leaching can lead to the mechanical damage and sur-
face renewal of solid particles through micro jets and shock
waves that are generated by the cavitation process.
The SEM analysis of silicate and pyrite sample shown
in Figure 4 and Figure 5 highlighted the presence of cracks
and cavities on the surface of a particle of silicate and pyrite
samples after ultrasonic exposure. The mechanical damage
was more pronounced on the pyrite crystal surfaces than
on the silicate crystals. Before ultrasonic treatment, a slice
of the silicate and pyrite crystal surfaces was smooth with
no easily visible scratches (Figure. 4a and 5a). After 5 hours
of ultrasonic treatment in deionized water, the silicate and
pyrite surfaces was seriously corroded (Figure 4b and 5b).
The presence of cracks and cavities on mineral surfaces is a
sign that ultrasound can greatly enhance the efficiency of
the extraction of gold particles in pyrite and silicate miner-
als, as it exposes the previously encapsulated gold to the
leaching solution and increase the surface area of the miner-
als for more effective leaching.
Figure 3. Gold recovery on different methods
Figure 4. (a) SEM images of silicate powder before, and (b) after ultrasonic pre-treatment
(a) (b)