Geothermal enhancement of mineral processing in Nevada: Final report, April 25, 1985-June 30, 1986

Technical Report · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7011778· OSTI ID:7011778

Flynn, T; Trexler, D T; Hendrix, J L

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
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
151000* -- Geothermal Energy-- Direct Energy Utilization
BACILLUS
BACTERIA
DISSOLUTION
ENERGY
FEDERAL REGION IX
GEOTHERMAL PROCESS HEAT
GOLD ORES
Geothermal Legacy
HEAT
LEACHING
MICROORGANISMS
NEVADA
NORTH AMERICA
ORE PROCESSING
ORES
PROCESS HEAT
PROCESSING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SILVER ORES
SULFUR-OXIDIZING BACTERIA
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
THIOBACILLUS OXIDANS
USA