Environmentally friendly process instead of cyanide leaching on recycling of gold and silver from jewellery scraps and wastes

Abstract

Nowadays, the production and exploration of gold has an increased importance all over the world. Recycling is a significant source for the supply of gold and has a pronounced effect on its price. The flotation method, which is more economical and more environmentally friendly than cyanide leaching, has been investigated for recycling gold and silver from jewellery slag. A jewellery slag sample containing 28.3 ppm Au and 42.0 ppm Ag was obtained from a refinery in Turkey. Flotation concentrate assaying 614.6 ppm Au and 511 ppm Ag was achieved with recoveries of 89.0% and 83.2%, respectively. On the other hand, 87.8% Au and 81.5% Ag extractions were obtained by cyanide leaching tests. Based on these results, flotation is suggested, considering its environmental and economic benefits.