INVESTIGATION ON IMPACT OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE ON GOLD

CYANIDE LEACHING

Hezron Hugo Nzowa

University of Dar es salaam, collage of engineering and technology, mining Eng Dept.
mineral processing.

ABSTRACT
Cyanide leaching of gold ore obtained from Barrick gold mine Kakola-Kahama Tanzania
was investigated. The effect of sodium cyanide (NaCN) concentration, type of PH
adjustment reagent and the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) addition in relation to the leaching
time on gold recoveries were examined and the optimum cyanide leaching condition
were determined. A 74% of gold were recovered with the addition of 0.8mls of hydrogen
peroxide during a cyanidation carried out for 24 hours. As a result of this investigation it
was proven that the addition of hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant during cyanide leaching
had an increasing effect on the leaching recoveries of gold and reduces the consumption
of cyanide.

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

Background
The cyanidation process is based on the conversion of gold into water soluble cyanide. Over a
century ago, it was discovered that beside the complexing cyanide ions, an oxidant must be
available simultaneously to oxidize the element gold. Since that time, oxygen from the air was
used by introducing the compressed air into the pulp or slurry. Researches and industrial
application over the years showed that the dissolution rate of gold are directly related to the
dissolved oxygen.
Considerable effort was put into improvement of the important oxidant supply, mainly by using
advanced techniques for gas dispersion or substituting the compressed air by pure oxygen in 1987
(Loroesch 1990), since the pure oxygen technology is very similar to aeration with compressed air
in the case of viscous and strong oxygen-consuming pulp/slurry, the phase transfer of oxygen gas
into a liquid is difficult as the introduction of air. The idea of controlled addition of an oxidant
liquid could come over this problem. Thus the use of hydrogen peroxide were introduced and
peroxide assisted cyanide leaching process (PAL) in gold mining industry started to be used.
Bulyanhulu gold mine it uses the compressed air as the source of dissolved oxygen which
encounter them on facing a challenge on a gold recovery at both new and old CIL circuits. Due to
this challenge they had requested me to do a testwork as my IPT project in order to investigate if
hydrogen peroxide has an impact on cyanide leaching so as to boost up their recoveries. The result
obtained during this test work will be used to demonstrate if hydrogen peroxide has an impact on
gold recovery.

Main objective
To conduct the metallurgical testwork in order to investigate the impact of hydrogen peroxide on
cyanide leaching of gold if it can boost the recovery.

Specific objectives
It is an object of the project to provide an improved process for the leaching of gold with controlled
addition of hydrogen peroxide. More particularly, to ensure low consumption of H2 O2 as possible
the consumption of sodium cyanide is not higher than in the conventional leaching process where
air is used for gassing. In addition, the improved process according to the project is intended to be
able to be safely controlled.

Methodology
In order to meet the targeted objective (main and specific objectives) of a project a literature review
on gold cyanide leaching and impact of hydrogen peroxide were understood, required equipment
and reagents were prepared and all metallurgical procedure were followed as required. This
investigation included a sample collection, test works, data collection and data discussion
Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

EXPERIMENTAL TESTWORKS
Sample collection
A representative sample were collected from a new CIL feed (which contain a TSF materials,
rougher scavenger and tail from old CIL). 36 kg of sample were collected for a leaching testwork.
All test work were done in metallurgy laboratories and the assaying was done by SGS.

Sample preparation
a collected samples were filtered, dried in oven and rolled to obtain a fine particles, there after a
sample were sieved and the result obtained were used to determine the P80 of the materials. Then
a sample were taken for leaching testwork.

Metallurgical test work

There are two main metallurgical testwork conducted during this investigation which were sieve
analysis by Cyclosizer, and the second was leaching by bottle rolling. Tests started with sizing,
and then followed by leaching testworks. The details of the testworks that were performed are
outlined below.

Particle size analysis

The aim of this test work was to determine the P80 of the sample, a particle size was determined
by using a cyclosizer. The equipment that used and procedures that were used to conduct particle
size analysis by using Cyclosizer are as follows:

Material and equipment

Beakers (500 mls)

Filter paper
Cyclosizer machine
Buckets
Electronic weighing balance
Oven
Sample tray
CIL feed sample
Funnels
Spatula

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

Sieving procedures
The following are the procedures used for Cyclosizer test.
Twenty five grams of sample were weighed and then mixed with water to form slurry, the
slurry was transferred to the sample container.
Sample container was on panel, the pump was started and water was passed through the
cyclosizer to expel air.
Water was flowing at 25% greater than the pre-determined separation flow rate, sample
container was opened then preliminary distribution of solids to the cyclones (five minutes)
was obtained at a pressure of 210 Kpa.
The flow rate was reduced to the pre-determined value and elutriate for 10 minutes at a
pressure of 183 Kpa.
When elutriating was completed, the flow rate was increased and solids were discharged
in each apex chamber in turn through the apex valve. Discharged solids were collected in
separate beakers.
Samples were filtered, dried and weighed for each fraction and particle size distribution
was calculated after putting data in the excel sheet.

Leaching test
During this test work the following are used

3.4.8 Equipment and material used

Measuring cylinder
Conical flask
Separating funnel
pH meter
Bottle roller machine
Filter paper
Prepared sample
Plastic bags for collection of samples
Electronic balance with at least 0.01 sensitivity
bottles

Reagents used
Lime for pH modification
Cyanide (NaCN)
Hydrogen peroxide (H202)
Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

Procedures for Cyanidation test

A sample of one kilogram (1Kg) was weighted on a beam balance and placed in a bottle.
One liter of water was measured using a 1000ml graduated cylinder and then placed in a
bottle.
Two grams of lime was added in the bottle while stirring until pH was above 11.1
Different weights of NaCN (ranging from 1.4 to 0.8) was added in the bottle to make
concentration of 1400 ppm, 1200ppm, 1000ppm and 800ppm respectively in each bottle.
A bottle was placed on bottle rolling machine rolled at moderate speed for 24 hours.
Upon completion of each test the slurry (mixture in the bottle) was filtered, dried and
samples were submitted SGS Lab for Au, Cu and Ag for assaying.
The same procedures were repeated for the least testworks.

RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS

In the assistance of hydrogen peroxide on cyanide leaching testworks, the effects of hydrogen
peroxide and cyanide concentration at a constant pH a recoveries of gold (Au) and consumption
of sodium cyanide (NaCN) were determined.

Particle size analysis

Particle size analysis was done to determine P80 of materials. The result showed that the P 80 of
material was 26micron for new CIL and 30 for old CIL.

Effect of hydrogen peroxide

Four different experiment were done at constant pH, cyanide concentration and leaching time of
24 hours. Table 1 below shows the change of gold recovery with change of hydrogen peroxide
concentration used in the cyanidation. In experiments without hydrogen peroxide the recoveries
was low but when hydrogen peroxide was added the recoveries increased similarly with different
concentration of hydrogen peroxide was observed and showed that as concentration of hydrogen
peroxide increase the recoveries increases.

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

NaCN added
(g/tonne)
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8

Recoveries when H2O2 added (mls)

without 0.4
0.5
0.6
Test 1 33
60
47
Test 2 54
61
65
Test 1 23
54
45
Test 2 60
63
57
Test 1 18
50
51
Test 2 59
62
58
Test 1 18
46
52
Test 2 57
59
55

0.7
57
46
52
52
-

0.8
74
73
73
73

Table 1: showing a recoveries at different concentration of hydrogen peroxide and sodium cyanide
for test one which was sample from new CIL and test two sample from old CIL

Effect of sodium cyanide concentration

The test work was conducted at different concentration of sodium cyanide concentration which
varied from 1400ppm (1.4g/tonne) to 800ppm (0.8g/tonne) at constant pH and hydrogen peroxide.
The results showed that without hydrogen peroxide addition as the concentration of sodium
cyanide increases the recoveries increased too. But when the hydrogen peroxide added the cyanide
concentration has less effect, result showed that a huge recoveries obtained at a hydrogen peroxide
concentration of 0.4 mls at a different sodium cyanide concentration for test one which was done
with a new CIL feed samples, also result of test two which was done with a feed of old CIL feed
sample showed that the impact of sodium cyanide concentration had a less impact on addition of
hydrogen peroxide since the recoveries increases with increase of hydrogen peroxide concentration
and less consumption of hydrogen peroxide observed as shown in table 1 above.

3.5.3 Effect of pH
In all testworks done the concentration of pH was aimed to be at constant value which was to be
11ppm, due to inabilities of proper control of pH the effect was observed on recoveries variation
when the two testworks done with the same concentration of hydrogen peroxide, sodium cyanide
and the pH which was to be 11ppm.

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

Conclusion
As the result of cyanide leaching testworks carried out with CIL feed sample from old and new
CIL showed that the addition of hydrogen peroxide provide a remarkable increase on the leaching
recoveries of gold. With addition of 0.8mls of hydrogen peroxide the 74% of gold were leached.it
was proven that the use of hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant in cyanide leaching result in increase
of gold recovery and decrease cyanide consumption.

Recommendation
It had identified in the testworks done that the hydrogen peroxide has a positive impact on a
cyanide leaching of gold but some of the condition that are required was not specified due to
various inabilities such as experimental instruments, there for it is required to perform a more test
works with all requirements in order to verify the results obtained during these experiments
because under certain condition hydrogen peroxide is capable of oxidizing the cyanide into cyanate
(CNO-) which can result in excessive consumption of cyanide and hydrogen peroxide itself. Also
hydrogen peroxide can inhibit the dissolution process through passivation of gold surface.

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
CIL
Au
Cu
Ag
TSF
Ppm
Lab
Mls
Gm
F
T
f
t
g/t
NaCN
C
c

Carbon in leach
Gold
Copper
Silver
Tailing Storage facility
Parts Per Million
Laboratory
Mill liter
grams
Mass of feed
Mass of tails
Feed grade
Tails grade
Grams per tone
Sodium Cyanide
Mass of Concentrate
Concentrate grade

soln

solution

conc

concentration

COB

crushed ore bin

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

REFERENCES
Breuer, P.L. Jeffrey, M.I. & Hewitt, D.M. (2008) Mechanisms of Sulfide Ion
Bulyanhulu gold mine handouts
Consep Pty Ltd. Consep Acacia Innovation in Process Technology. [Brochure]

Crundwell, F.K. & Godorr, S.A. (1997) A Mathematical Model of the Leaching of
Dai, X. & Jeffrey, M.I. (2006).The Effect of Sulfide Minerals on the Leaching of
Engineering, Vol 21, pp. 579-586.
Fahrenwald, A. W., et al., "Some Studies on the Gold-Dissolution Rate in Cyanide
Solutions", Engineering and Mining Journal, vol. 140, pp. 44-46, 1939.
Gold in Aerated Cyanide Solutions. Hydrometallurgy, Vol 82, pp. 118-125.
Gold in Cyanide Solutions. Hydrometallurgy, Vol 44, pp. 147-162.
http://www.consep.com.au/page13604324.aspx.

Julian, H. F., et al., Cyaniding Gold and Silver Ores: A Practical Treatise on the Cyanide
Process, 1904, pp. 73-76.
Oxidation during Cyanidation. Part I: The Effect of Lead (II) Ions. Minerals

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

Appendix
Assay tables for gold dissolution of different testworks
CN conc (ppm)
1400
1200
1000
800

Au in soln (mg/l)
0.02
0.01
0.01
0.001

Au in carbon (ppm)
17.5
16.5
14.5
16.5

Au in tail (ppm)
157
151
178
134

Table 2. Assay for test one without hydrogen peroxide

CN conc (ppm)
1400
1200
1000
800

Au in soln (mg/l)
0.04
0.06
0.04
0.03

Au in carbon (ppm)
138
148
151
124

Au in tail (ppm)
2.67
2.68
2.8
2.88

Table 3. Assay for test two without hydrogen peroxide

CN conc (ppm)
1400
1200
1000
800

Au in soln (mg/l)
0.05
0.07
0.06
0.03

Au in carbon (ppm)
163
139
140
137

Au in tail (ppm)
2.7
2.79
2.92
2.92

Table 4. Assay for test three with 0.4mls hydrogen peroxide

CN conc (ppm)
1400
1200
1000
800

Au in soln (mg/l)
0.01
0.001
0.01
0.001

Au in carbon (ppm)
54
44
43
39

Table 5. Assay for test four with 0.4mls hydrogen peroxide

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

Au in tail (ppm)
0.55
0.56
0.65
0.68

CN conc (ppm)
1400
1200
1000
800

Au in soln (mg/l)
0.001
0.01
0.01
0.001

Au in carbon (ppm)
18
17
14
16

Au in tail (ppm)
0.6
0.64
0.59
0.67

Table 6. Assay for test five with 0.5mls hydrogen peroxide

CN conc (ppm)
1400
1200
1000
800

Au in soln (mg/l)
0.08
0.01
0.08
0.01

Au in carbon (ppm)
139
123
125
117

Au in tail (ppm)
2.79
2.81
2.77
2.91

Table 7. Assay for test six with 0.6mls hydrogen peroxide

CN conc (ppm)
1400
1200
1000
800

Au in soln (mg/l)
0.02
0.02
0.03
0.04

Au in carbon (ppm)
23
18
20
22

Au in tail (ppm)
0.54
0.67
0.62
0.64

Table 8. Assay for test seven with 0.7mls hydrogen peroxide

CN conc (ppm)
1400
1200
1000
800

Au in soln (mg/l)
0.04
0.04
0.17
0.05

Au in carbon (ppm)
174
158
154
160.5

Table 9. Assay for test eight with 0.8mls hydrogen peroxide

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

Au in tail (ppm)
1.83
1.77
1.76
1.81

Tables and charts

Tables and charts of cyanide concentration, recovery, and hydrogen peroxide concentration and
cyanide consumption
Table 10
Cyanide concentration
before leaching
(gm/tonne)
1.4
1.4
1.4
1.4

H2O2 amount
(mls)

Consumption of
Cyanide concentration
(gm/tonne)
1.0
1.0
1.2
1.08

0
0.4
0.5
0.7

Recovery

33
60
47
57

A table showing a consumption of cyanide concentration, amount of hydrogen peroxide

used and the recoveries.
70

A CHART OF RECOVERY V/S HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

60

RECOVERY

50
40
30

20
10
0
0

0.4

0.5

0.7

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (mls)

A CHART OF CN CONSUPTION AND RECOVERY V/S H2O2

1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

0.4

0.5

0.7

CN consumption

recovery

Table 11
Cyanide concentration
before leaching
(gm/tonne)
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.2

H2O2 amount
(mls)

Consumption of
Cyanide concentration
(gm/tonne)
0.63
0.85
1.02
0.99

0
0.4
0.5
0.7

recovery

23
54
45
46

A table showing a consumption of cyanide concentration, amount of hydrogen peroxide

used and the recoveries.

A CHART OF RECOVERY V/S HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

60

RECOVERY

50
40
30
20
10
0
0

0.4

0.5

0.7

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (mls)

1.2

A CHART OF CN CONSUPTION AND RECOVERY V/S H2O2

1
0.8
0.6
0.4

0.2
0
0

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

0.4

0.5

0.7

CN consumption

recovery

Table 12
Cyanide concentration
before leaching
(gm/tonne)
1
1
1
1

H2O2 amount
(mls)

Consumption of
Cyanide concentration
(gm/tonne)
0.77
0.75
0.92
0.89

0
0.4
0.5
0.7

Recovery

18
50
42
52

A table showing a consumption of cyanide concentration, amount of hydrogen peroxide

used and the recoveries.

A CHART OF RECOVERY V/S HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

60

50

RECOVERY

40
30
20
10
0
0

0.4

0.5

0.7

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (mls)

A CHART OF CN CONSUPTION AND RECOVERY V/S H2O2

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0

0.4

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

0.5

0.7

CN consumption

recovery

Table 13
Cyanide concentration
before leaching
(gm/tonne)
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8

H2O2 amount
(mls)

Cyanide concentration
after leaching (ppm)

Recovery

0
0.4
0.5
0.7

0.65
0.62
0.72
0.72

18
46
42
52

A table showing a consumption of cyanide concentration, amount of hydrogen peroxide

used and the recoveries.

A CHART OF RECOVERY V/S HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

60

RECOVERY

50
40
30
20
10
0
0

0.4

0.5

0.7

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (mls)

0.8

A CHART OF CN CONSUPTION AND RECOVERY V/S H2O2

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3

0.2
0.1
0
0

0.4

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

0.5

0.7

CN consumption

recovery

Table 14
Cyanide concentration
before leaching
(gm/tonne)
1.4
1.4
1.4
1.4

H2O2 amount
(mls)

Consumption of
Cyanide concentration
(gm/tonne)
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.31

0
0.4
0.6
0.8

Recovery

60
61
65
74

A table showing a consumption of cyanide concentration, amount of hydrogen peroxide

used and the recoveries.

A CHART OF RECOVERY V/S HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

80
70

RECOVERY

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0

0.4

0.6

0.8

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (mls)

1.5

A CHART OF CN CONSUPTION AND RECOVERY V/S H2O2

0.5

0
0

0.4

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

0.6

0.8

CN consumption

recovery

Table 15
Cyanide concentration
before leaching (ppm)
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.2

H2O2 amount
(mls)
0
0.4
0.6
0.8

Cyanide concentration
after leaching (ppm)

Recovery
60
63
57
73

A table showing a consumption of cyanide concentration, amount of hydrogen peroxide

used and the recoveries.

A CHART OF RECOVERY V/S HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

80
70

RECOVERY

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0

0.4

0.6

0.8

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (mls)

1.4

A CHART OF CN CONSUPTION AND RECOVERY V/S H2O2

1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0

0.4

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

0.6

0.8

CN consumption

recovery

Table 16
Cyanide concentration
before leaching
(g/tonne)
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8

H2O2 amount
(mls)

Consumed Cyanide
concentration
(gm/tonne)
0.77
0.76
0.77
0.77

0
0.4
0.6
0.8

Recovery

57
59
55
73

A table showing a consumption of cyanide concentration, amount of hydrogen peroxide

used and the recoveries.

A CHART OF RECOVERY V/S HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

80

70

RECOVERY

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0

0.4

0.6

0.8

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (mls)

A CHART OF CN CONSUPTION AND RECOVERY V/S H2O2

1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0

0.4

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

0.6

0.8

CN consumption

recovery

Table 17
Cyanide concentration
before leaching
(gm/tonne)
1
1
1
1

H2O2 amount
(mls)

Consumption of
Cyanide concentration
(gm/tonne)
0.96
0.93
0.96
0.96

0
0.4
0.6
0.8

Recovery

59
62
58
73

A table showing a consumption of cyanide concentration, amount of hydrogen peroxide

used and the recoveries.

A CHART OF RECOVERY V/S HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

80
70

RECOVERY

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0

0.4

0.6

0.8

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (mls)

1.2

A CHART OF CN CONSUPTION AND RECOVERY V/S H2O2

1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

0.4

0.6

0.8

CN consumption

recovery

Some formula which used

Recovery = concentrate/ feed
=

100

but f = grade of gold in solution tail + grade of gold in solid tail + grade of gold in carbon
c=ft
where t = grade of gold in tail

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com

Hugonzowa60@gmail.com