Abstract: The invention relates to a method of extracting gold from a gold-containing material. The invention provides a process of extracting precious metals from a precious metal-containing material comprising mixing the material in a finely-divided state with an alkaline cyanide solution to form a mixture and recovering the metal from solution by known methods characterized in that said process is carried out in the presence of peroxymonosulfuric acid or salt thereof and, where necessary, adding oxygen or a source thereof to said mixture to provide a dissolved oxygen level of at least about 6 ppm.In a preferred embodiment the process is used in conjunction with a carbon-in-pulp plant. In the preferred process ore slurry 2 is passed through a valve means 3a to a wood screen 5 via line 4a. The slurry is separated from waste wood splinters 5a under gravity to a reservoir 6 where it is combined with an alkaline cyanide solution 7 introduced via line 4b and metering pump 8a.

Abstract: A tensionable dowel for reinforcing walls and/or roofs in excavations such as mines and tunnels is described. The dowel is particularly useful in coal mines where mine walls or roofs are subject to failure. The dowel is fabricated in fibre reinforced engineering plastic and is used with a threaded nut for tensioning the dowel in the wall or roof.Also described is a process for manufacturing the dowel as well as a method for reinforcing walls and/or roofs by inserting the dowels therein.