Gold Recovery

Forager absorbents are extensively employed for the recovery of dissolved gold in cationic (Au+3) and anionic (Au(CN)2-) states. Gold is typically recovered from tailings ponds, detoxification rinse water, electroplating discharges, acid stripping systems, and mine effluents.

In most instances, after the granular or sponge form absorbent has become saturated with a base metal such as copper, it will still absorb gold. This characteristic enables the absorbent to recover gold even in the presence of vastly greater concentrations of other heavy metals.

The absorbed gold is generally eluted to permit numerous cycles of re-use of the absorbent. Because of short requisite contact times (15-40 seconds) recovery is economically feasible at gold concentrations above 0.5 ppm. The sponge form absorbent is tolerant of suspended matter up to about 200 ppm.