8
POX, a broader range of factors should be accounted for in
decision-making.
The findings highlight the critical influence of sulfide
sulfur grade and carbonate levels, as these not only affect
heat generation and fuel dependency, thereby impacting
OPEX, but also acidulation and subsequent neutralization
circuit size impacting CAPEX. Sensitivity analyses demon-
strated that market conditions, particularly fluctuations in
gold price and gold grade, significantly influence process
economics, reinforcing the necessity of robust risk manage-
ment strategies, such as hedging.
Moreover, gold recovery optimization presents a
nuanced challenge while higher recovery improves gold
output, the associated costs can diminish overall profit-
ability. Thus, balancing recovery efficiency and cost-effec-
tiveness is essential to sustaining long-term economic
performance.
In conclusion, this study underscores the need for a
multidimensional approach when selecting between acidic
and alkaline POX. By integrating economic, metallurgical,
and operational perspectives, industry professionals can tai-
lor pre-treatment strategies to align with ore characteristics
and market dynamics, ultimately maximizing the profit-
ability and sustainability of refractory gold ore processing.
REFERENCES
[1] Corriou, J-P. and Knkindai T., (1981), “The Aqueous
Oxidation of Elemental Sulfur and Different
Chemical Properties of the Allotropic Forms Sλ and
Sμ,” vol. 43, Issue 1, Journal of Inorganic and Nuclear
Chemistry, pp. 9–15.
[2] Dani, A. (2013), “Alkaline Pressure Oxidation of
Pyrite in the Presence of Silica, Master’s Thesis,
University of Toronto.
[3] Marsden, J. &House, C. (2006), “Chemistry of
Gold Extraction,” 2nd edition, Society for Mining,
Metallurgy, and Exploration.
[4] Song, C. (2023), “The Alkaline Pressure Oxidation
of Gold-Containing Pyrite as a Pretreatment prior to
Gold Leaching -Fundamentals and New Approaches,”
Master’s Thesis, University of British Columbia.
[5] Thomas, K. G., &Williams, R. A. (2000), “Alkaline
and Acidic autoclaving of refractory gold ores a
review,” In P. R. Taylor (Ed.), EPD Congress 2000,
The Minerals, Metals, &Materials Society.
[6] Peters, S. (2010), “An Investigation of the Role of
Sodium Carbonate and Silica in the Neutral/Alkaline
Pressure Oxidation of Pyrite,” Master’s Thesis,
University of Toronto.
POX, a broader range of factors should be accounted for in
decision-making.
The findings highlight the critical influence of sulfide
sulfur grade and carbonate levels, as these not only affect
heat generation and fuel dependency, thereby impacting
OPEX, but also acidulation and subsequent neutralization
circuit size impacting CAPEX. Sensitivity analyses demon-
strated that market conditions, particularly fluctuations in
gold price and gold grade, significantly influence process
economics, reinforcing the necessity of robust risk manage-
ment strategies, such as hedging.
Moreover, gold recovery optimization presents a
nuanced challenge while higher recovery improves gold
output, the associated costs can diminish overall profit-
ability. Thus, balancing recovery efficiency and cost-effec-
tiveness is essential to sustaining long-term economic
performance.
In conclusion, this study underscores the need for a
multidimensional approach when selecting between acidic
and alkaline POX. By integrating economic, metallurgical,
and operational perspectives, industry professionals can tai-
lor pre-treatment strategies to align with ore characteristics
and market dynamics, ultimately maximizing the profit-
ability and sustainability of refractory gold ore processing.
REFERENCES
[1] Corriou, J-P. and Knkindai T., (1981), “The Aqueous
Oxidation of Elemental Sulfur and Different
Chemical Properties of the Allotropic Forms Sλ and
Sμ,” vol. 43, Issue 1, Journal of Inorganic and Nuclear
Chemistry, pp. 9–15.
[2] Dani, A. (2013), “Alkaline Pressure Oxidation of
Pyrite in the Presence of Silica, Master’s Thesis,
University of Toronto.
[3] Marsden, J. &House, C. (2006), “Chemistry of
Gold Extraction,” 2nd edition, Society for Mining,
Metallurgy, and Exploration.
[4] Song, C. (2023), “The Alkaline Pressure Oxidation
of Gold-Containing Pyrite as a Pretreatment prior to
Gold Leaching -Fundamentals and New Approaches,”
Master’s Thesis, University of British Columbia.
[5] Thomas, K. G., &Williams, R. A. (2000), “Alkaline
and Acidic autoclaving of refractory gold ores a
review,” In P. R. Taylor (Ed.), EPD Congress 2000,
The Minerals, Metals, &Materials Society.
[6] Peters, S. (2010), “An Investigation of the Role of
Sodium Carbonate and Silica in the Neutral/Alkaline
Pressure Oxidation of Pyrite,” Master’s Thesis,
University of Toronto.