Abstract: Merrill slime is contacted with a gold chloride solution to cement out gold and dissolve base metals. The separated solids are treated in a known type of process by chlorination with elemental chlorine, separation of the chlorinated solution and precipitation of gold powder by means of a reductant. The precipitation is partial and the remaining solution is used for the cementation step. The gold powder is separated and subjected to special washing techniques for the removal of adsorbed impurities. A molar ratio of Cl/Au of about 4 after chlorination is aimed at to minimise the solubility of silver chloride. After removing solid impurities this ratio is raised to ensure that any dissolved silver remains in solution when gold is subsequently precipitated.