Optimization of Gold Recovery from Sedimentary Rock-Hosted Disseminated Agh-Darreh Gold Deposit in Glycine-Copper-Cyanide Leaching System

Gold extraction has long relied on cyanidation yet faces challenges including toxicity and refractory ore usage. This study explores the glycine-copper-cyanide leaching system's potential for gold recovery from sedimentary rock-hosted disseminated Agh-Darreh gold ore. Initially, cyanidation experiments tested increasing temperatures' impact. Concurrently, classical experiments evaluated key parameters-temperature, time, and sodium cyanide to copper cyanide molar ratio-on gold leaching with glycine. Design of Experiments (DOE) methodology was applied, considering three interaction parameters. Results showed 90% recovery at 50 degrees C, peaking at 93% at 35 degrees C with an 8-h leaching time using the glycine-copper-cyanide system. Increasing the sodium cyanide-to-copper cyanide ratio furthered better gold recovery, attributed to copper glycinate complex formation with glycine, enabling free cyanide redistribution. This study underscores the glycine-copper-cyanide leaching system's efficacy as a cyanidation alternative for efficient gold extraction from sedimentary deposits.