Aplicación del lixiviante GDA como alternativa al uso del cianuro en la planta de beneficio de la empresa minera y constructora COMINCOBOS S. A.

Abstract

With the objective of applying an alternative to the use of cyanide in leaching, using the gold leaching agent (GDA), the present technical work is established, applying operational parameters and dosages similar to those used in the beneficiation plant of Empresa Minera y Constructora COMINCOBOS S. A. Experimental tests were carried out at laboratory scale, in which the following process parameters were considered: concentration of cyanide and GDA, pH control and leaching time. The leaching was applied in the laboratory for 44 hours for both cyanide and GDA, where the concentration differences between these two leaching agents were determined, and an extra-test was also carried out to better delimit the concentration and time to be used with the gold leaching agent (GDA). With the results analyzed during the experimental phase, it was determined that cyanide has a higher concentration, obtaining a value of 3,271 ppm over 2,802 ppm of GDA, in addition to the fact that cyanide needs less activation time than GDA. Thus, it is concluded, that the leaching with GDA is not equal or higher than that of cyanide under similar conditions, however, it is not a value to be despised, since the concentration difference resulting from the leaching is 0. 469 ppm below that of cyanide, so it is recommended to use the gold leaching agent (GDA) in cases where it is not possible to treat the leach tails, since it is an environmentally friendly leaching agent and the cost is the same as that of cyanide, thus we can contribute to a more responsible mining.