Activated carbon is the industry standard for gold recovery from cyanide leach solutions in gold mining operations worldwide. The carbon-in-pulp (CIP), carbon-in-leach (CIL), and carbon-in-column (CIC) processes rely on the exceptional adsorption kinetics and mechanical durability of specially selected coconut shell activated carbon. The high microporosity and hardness of coconut shell carbon make it uniquely suited for this demanding application, where carbon particles endure repeated handling, pumping, and regeneration cycles.
In CIP operations, activated carbon is added to agitated tanks containing gold-bearing cyanide pulp. The carbon adsorbs gold cyanide complexes from solution while suspended in the pulp. Loaded carbon is separated from pulp by screening and sent to elution for gold recovery.
Recommended Products: Coconut Shell GAC (6×12 mesh, 6×16 mesh)
CIL combines leaching and adsorption in a single circuit. Gold dissolution and carbon adsorption occur simultaneously in the same tanks, reducing capital costs and improving efficiency for certain ore types.
Recommended Products: Coconut Shell GAC (6×12 mesh, 6×16 mesh)
For heap leach operations and clear solution recovery, activated carbon is packed in columns through which gold-bearing solution flows. The carbon bed captures gold from solution with high efficiency before barren solution is recycled.
Recommended Products: Coconut Shell GAC (6×12 mesh, 12×30 mesh)
Loaded carbon undergoes elution (stripping) with hot caustic cyanide solution to recover adsorbed gold. The stripped carbon is thermally reactivated in rotary kilns to restore adsorption capacity before returning to the circuit. Carbon hardness and attrition resistance are critical for minimizing losses during handling and regeneration.
Recommended Products: Coconut Shell GAC (high hardness grades)
Similar carbon adsorption processes are employed for recovery of silver from cyanide leach solutions and photographic processing effluents.
Recommended Products: Coconut Shell GAC
Activated carbon is also used to treat mine-impacted water, removing organic contaminants, residual cyanide, and heavy metals before discharge or reuse.
Recommended Products: Coconut Shell GAC, Coal-Based GAC
Parameter |
Unit |
Typical Value |
Test Method |
|---|---|---|---|
Iodine Number
|
mg/g
|
950 – 1,100
|
ASTM D4607
|
Gold Adsorption Rate (k Value)
|
% / hour
|
≥ 70
|
Internal
|
Gold Adsorption Capacity (R Value)
|
mg Au/g
|
≥ 25
|
Internal
|
Carbon Tetrachloride (CTC) Activity
|
%
|
60 – 70
|
ASTM D3467
|
Moisture Content
|
%
|
< 2
|
ASTM D2867
|
Ash Content
|
%
|
< 5
|
ASTM D2866
|
Hardness
|
%
|
≥ 98
|
ASTM D3802
|
Particle Size
|
mesh
|
6×12 (1.70 – 3.35 mm), 6×16 (1.18 – 3.35 mm)
|
ASTM D2862
|
Apparent Density
|
g/cm³
|
0.48 – 0.54
|
ASTM D2854
|
Surface Area (BET)
|
m²/g
|
1,000 – 1,150
|
ASTM D6556
|
Abrasion Number
|
%
|
≥ 98
|
ASTM D3802
|
Platelet Content
|
%
|
< 5
|
Internal
|
Fines Content
|
%
|
< 1
|
Internal
|
Parameter |
Importance |
Specification Requirement |
|---|---|---|
Activity (k Value)
|
High
|
Faster adsorption kinetics reduce required carbon inventory
|
Hardness / Abrasion Resistance
|
Critical
|
Minimizes carbon losses from attrition and handling
|
Particle Size Distribution
|
Critical
|
Proper sizing ensures efficient screening from pulp
|
Platelet Content
|
High
|
Excess platelets increase carbon losses through screens
|
Fines Content
|
Critical
|
Fines increase gold losses and operational problems
|
Regeneration Yield
|
High
|
Higher yield reduces makeup carbon consumption
|
Exceptional Hardness: Withstands repeated pumping, screening, and thermal regeneration with minimal attrition losses
High Microporosity: Provides optimal pore structure for gold cyanide complex adsorption
Low Platelet Content: Reduces carbon losses through interstage screens
Excellent Regeneration Characteristics: Maintains activity through multiple thermal reactivation cycles
Low Ash Content: Minimizes interference with gold elution and electrowinning
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