Influence of lead nitrate on cyanide leaching of gold and silver from turkish gold ores

Effect of lead nitrate addition on cyanidation of Havran, Ovacık, Mastra LCu (low copper) and Mastra HCu (high copper) gold ores was investigated by laboratory tests at the Ovacik Gold Mine Metallurgy Laboratory. Leach tests were performed at optimum NaCN additions and pH values while different lead nitrate additions were applied. Ovacik cyanidation plant leaching time, 24 hours for the constant 100 Mg/h ore feed rate was applied as optimal for all lead nitrate tests. Results showed the increase in gold and silver recoveries between 0.4-1.2% for gold and 3.9-11.6% for silver at the end of 24 hours leaching by the addition of lead nitrate as 0.1-0.5 kg/Mg. NaCN consumption decreased or did not change except for the Ovacik ore. In the case of the Ovacik ore it slightly increased.