Abstract: A collector device for determining a metal in an exploration sample containing a concentration of the metal not directly detectable by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), comprises an adsorbent material capable of concentrating metal from a digestion mixture produced by digesting the exploration sample, which is configured for association with an analysis window of the XRF detector to facilitate determination of the amount of metal value in the exploration sample. A sample preparation vessel, method and system used to prepare exploration samples for analysis includes a vessel for receiving the exploration sample, a digestion tablet and a digestion medium; a closure to allow the vessel to be agitated to produce a digestion mixture comprising dissolved metal and the collector device. The closure and the collector device are coupled so that collector device is retrieved from the vessel by removing the closure. The digestion tablet includes a metal lixiviate and an alkali compound.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly (e.g. no acid, base, or cyanide) system and process for large scale extraction of metal ion into aerobic molten salt (or ionic liquid) and the electrodeposition of metal (e.g. copper, gold, silver, etc.) from the metal ion dissolved in the molten salt. The non-volatile low vapor pressure liquid salt is reusable, and heat from the molten slag can heat the molten salts or ionic liquids. Another embodiment comprises a one-pot apparatus for the extraction of metal (e.g. copper) from metal earths and electrodepositing the metal using a low melting (209° C.) aerated Na—K—Zn chloride salt in which copper metal oxidizes and is converted to soluble copper chloride. When an electrical power supply is connected to the graphite vessel (cathode) and to copper rods in the melt (anodes), then the copper chloride is deposited as copper metal by electroreduction on the bottom of the graphite reaction vessel.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for adsorption/desorption of lithium ions from brine, which employs a counter current decantation process in adsorption/desorption of lithium ions, thereby achieving an adsorption rate of 65±5% and a desorption rate of 95±3%. The method includes supplying brine into one of a plurality of adsorption reactors, adsorbing lithium ions to an adsorbent by supplying the adsorbent to the adsorption reactor to which the brine is supplied and forcing the brine and the adsorbent to sequentially flow backwards inside the respective adsorption reactors, and desorbing the lithium ions from the brine by forcing the adsorbent to which the lithium ions are adsorbed to sequentially flow backwards inside a plurality of desorption reactors. Here, the brine and the adsorbent are stirred by a stirrer to maintain the adsorbent in an intermediate state instead of settling or floating inside the respective adsorption reactors.

Abstract: This relates to mining and mineral or materials treatment industries that deal with gold and silver. Specifically, it is related to the process to recover gold and silver from thiosulfate or thiourea solutions, with an electrolysis that occurs simultaneously on both the anode and cathode. Increased velocity and greatly reduced energy consumption are obtained in relation to those found in conventional electrolytic cells.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of a precious metal, such as gold or silver, from a sulphide ore or concentrate or other source material comprises subjecting the source material to pressure oxidation to produce a pressure oxidation slurry. The pressure oxidation slurry is flashed down to a lower temperature and pressure and is then subjected to a liquid/solid separation to obtain a pressure oxidation solution and a solid residue containing the precious metal. The solid residue is then subjected to cyanidation to extract the precious metal. The formation of thiocyanide during cyanidation is minimized or counteracted by effecting the cyanidation at an elevated oxygen pressure and a reduced retention time, such as 30 to 90 minutes. A method for the reduction of copper cyanide formation during cyanidation leaching is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for removing various contaminants (e.g., organic collectors, contaminant metals or spectator ions, and/or suspended and colloidal solids) from process streams in leaching processes. The contaminant removal is performed by one or more membrane filtration systems (e.g., nanofilters, ultrafilters, and/or microfilters) treating process streams including, the pregnant leaching solution, the barren raffinate, and the lean and rich electrolytes.

Abstract: A method for refining noble metals has a silver treating process including a nitric acid leaching step of silver, a purification step of the leaching solution, an electrolytic decomposition step of silver, and a recycling step after the electrolytic decomposition, wherein in the purification step, lime is added in order to precipitate the metallic impurities, such as selenium, tellurium, bismuth, and copper, by neutralization of the leaching solution, and in the recycling step, sulfuric acid is added to the solution after electrolytic decomposition to regenerate nitric acid for recycling use by precipitation of calcium in the solution as gypsum. Preferably, the refining method has a gold recovery process, as well as the silver treating process, wherein the residue of the nitric leaching of the crude silver is dissolved by chlorination and gold is recovered from the leaching solution by solvent extraction or reductive precipitation.