Characterization of Slags Produced During Gold Melting Process

Abstract

In the extractive metallurgy of gold ores the cyanidation and melting processes are generally applied. These processes allow obtaining the “dore”. The slag generated during the melting process presents various characteristics, depending on the mineral source and the type of flux used. The literature information on this pyrometallurgical process at high temperature is very poor. For this reason this paper is focused on the characterization of three synthetic slags. The main objective of the study is to characterize the slags: a) improve the melting process operation, b) to analyze the environmental impact, c) to determine the possibility of slags being recycled.