Work

Destruction of cyanide complex for recovery of gold and silver from mineral and industrial pregnant solution by electrocoagulation technology

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: At present, Zinc-dust cementation for gold and silver recovery is one of the most common contact-reduction processes in the Metallurgical industry. However, this reaction can extremely efficient but sensitive to oxygen and suspended solids, which makes the solution clarification to be required before the recovery of gold and silver. As a result, this technology is less competitive with other process technology. This is the reason that we propose in this study to simultaneously recapture gold and silver from the cyanidation process by electrocoagulation technology and by decreasing the pH to 8, injecting air into the electrolytic cell, and bubbling HCN (gas) in sodium hydroxide solution we can regenerate the sodium cyanide. Electrocoagulation (EC), an emerging technology mainly used for wastewater treatment, was successfully applied for this achievement. This study will introduce the fundamental concepts of the EC method for recovering gold/silver metals from cyanide solutions. In this research X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electronic Microscope, and Atomic Absorption spectroscopy were used to characterize the solid products formed during the EC process. The results suggest that magnetite particles and amorphous iron oxyhydroxides are present. Finally, with the use of EC technology, the recovery of gold, silver, and cyanide was 97 % in 5 min and meets with the SDG 3, 6, 8, 9, 14 and 15 goals. • First-ever use of Hermetic Electrocoagulation for safer, economical, high-recovery Doré. • Alkaline medium and pumped air enhance simultaneous Au/Ag and cyanide recovery. • Electrocoagulation reactor enables eco-friendly cyanide waste recovery/degeneration. • Process supports Circular Economy and SDGs 3, 6, 8, 9, 14, and 15.

Source: Next Sustainability

DOI: 10.1016/j.nxsust.2026.100257

Authors: José Refugio Parga Torres, Nelson Oshogwue Etafo, Victor Manuel Vazquez Vazquez

Institutions: Instituto Tecnológico de Saltillo, Universidad de Sonora

Language: English

Topic: Coagulation and Flocculation Studies

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,280