Geothermal enhancement of mineral processing in Nevada: Final report, April 25, 1985-June 30, 1986
This report reviews mineral recovery techniques practiced at active mines throughout Nevada and determines those that may be enhanced by the application of geothermal heat energy from a nearby resource. Of the thirty-two active precious metal mines identified, ten have hot water on or near the property and could potentially benefit. A second purpose was to collect ore samples and geothermal fluids, determine if they are compatible in the hydrometallurgical process, and carry out laboratory tests to determine the effects of heating on recovery rates. In addition, interfering or counterproductive factors were also identified. The laboratory work consisted of measuring the effects of thermally enhancing two hydrometallurgical processes; cyanide heap-leaching of gold and silver ores and bacterial leaching of sulfide rich gold ores. Thermally enhanced cyanide heap-leaching of gold and silver ores produced increases in extraction ranging from 8 to 20% for gold and 17 to 40% for silver. The temperature required for these increases is 35/sup 0/C to 40/sup 0/C, well within the range of available geothermal resources.
- Research Organization:
- Nevada Univ., Reno (USA). Div. of Earth Sciences
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG03-85SF15603
- OSTI ID:
- 7011778
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/SF/15603-1; ON: DE87003852
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Pilot-Scale Testing of an Integrated Circuit for the Extraction of Rare Earth Minerals and Elements from Coal and Coal Byproducts Using Advanced Separation Technologies
Superfund Record of Decision (EPA Region 10): Silver Mountain Mine, WA. (First remedial action), March 1990. Final report
Related Subjects
GOLD ORES
LEACHING
ORE PROCESSING
GEOTHERMAL PROCESS HEAT
SILVER ORES
NEVADA
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
THIOBACILLUS OXIDANS
BACILLUS
BACTERIA
DISSOLUTION
ENERGY
FEDERAL REGION IX
HEAT
MICROORGANISMS
NORTH AMERICA
ORES
PROCESS HEAT
PROCESSING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SULFUR-OXIDIZING BACTERIA
USA
Geothermal Legacy
151000* - Geothermal Energy- Direct Energy Utilization