In gold mining, a small amount of lead found in the ore is considered beneficial, particularly during the cyanide leaching process. This benefit stems from lead's interaction with zinc in the recovery phase.
During the gold recovery process using cyanide leaching, gold is dissolved from the ore into a cyanide solution. To recover the dissolved gold, zinc powder is often added. This is where lead plays a helpful role.
The Role of Lead in Gold Recovery
According to information regarding the process:
- A small presence of lead within the gold ore is advantageous for the cyanide leaching process of gold ore.
- Lead has the property of forming an electric pair with zinc.
- This electric pair, formed within the zinc powder replacement device used in gold ore cyanidation leaching, is favorable and conducive to the replacement reaction of gold.
Essentially, the presence of lead helps facilitate the chemical reaction where zinc replaces the gold in the solution, allowing the solid gold to precipitate out and be recovered. This makes the gold extraction more efficient during this specific stage of processing.
