Myanmar Gold-Platinum Mine

Gold Refining Forum

Help Support Gold Refining Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

sohwohn

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 25, 2017
Messages
50
I'm from Hong Kong and now working in a small lab (alone) in China learning how to assay and process ores. I graduated with a degree in Information Engineering (basically means database) about 4 years ago, after then I had been working in the Interior Design field. Thus, the last time I learned Chemistry (until I came China) was high-school. I've been this field for not more than 4 months so I lack experience. I have learnt how to make use of the XRF-unit in September and October. Recently I'm spending more time on ore-processing (mainly cyanidation).

Right now I have two ore-sources from two mining-sites, both in Myanmar. Below is one of the two Myanmar mine ores I'm working on, I call this Gold-Platinum ore. I've been studying this ore for about a week or two. I'd like to share some of my thoughts, and gather more thoughts from fellow experts on this forum.

Matrix Concentrations:
(Grinded powder sample, XRF analysis)
44.png
Precious metal Concentrations:
(ICP analysis and Fire-assay analysis)
44.png
Appearance:
(Left: Natural light, Right: Phone flashlight)
WeChat Image_20180101131208.jpg
(through 100x-scope)
WeChat Image_20180101134642.jpg
WeChat Image_20180101134646.jpg
 
Facilities in this lab:
1. XRF unit
2. Agitator (2000cc)
3. Vibration-mill(150g)
4. Dryer (150g)
5. Induction furnace (30-50g) [not working well]
6. Fume Hood [can only be half-sealed]

Facilities will be installed in February:
1. Muffle furnace
2. Ball-mill (800kg)
3. Agitated vessel (2.5t)
4. Shaking table
5. Spiral Concentrator (2.8m)

Chemicals in this lab:
1. Non-poisonous cyanide chemical and activated carbon (coconut shell)
2. AR: Cu2O, SiO2, Pb3O4, Bi(NO3)3-5H2O, Sb2O3, C6H8O6, Na2CO3, NaOH, NaNO3, CaO, Na2S-9H2O, Al2O3, ZnSO4-7H2O, Na2SiO3-9H2O, CuSO4-5H2O, Na2B4O7-10H2O
3. Industrial: HCl, HNO3, Acetone, Ethyl xanthate, Corn Starch
 
Acid treatment

Acid treatment was done once by adding 100cc HCl (unknown concentration) to 50g sample and heated for an hour. 26g powders recovered. Ca 10.4811%, Fe 5.6475%.

I think the red one is Rutile. The yellow one I have no idea what that is.
WeChat Image_20180101142803.jpg
This is definitely Magnetite 'cause I separated this single piece out by using a magnet.
WeChat Image_20180101142808.jpg
This is probably Gold, I don't know.
WeChat Image_20180101143102.jpg
There're a lot of large crystals, Quartz maybe?
WeChat Image_20180101143050.jpg
There're a lot of blue/purple metal pieces, I think the blue ones are Labradorite. Maybe.
 

Attachments

  • WeChat Image_20180101143040.jpg
    WeChat Image_20180101143040.jpg
    239.4 KB · Views: 82
sohwohn said:
Acid treatment

Acid treatment was done once by adding 100cc HCl (unknown concentration) to 50g sample and heated for an hour. 26g powders recovered. Ca 10.4811%, Fe 5.6475%.

I think the red one is Rutile. The yellow one I have no idea what that is.
WeChat Image_20180101142803.jpg
This is definitely Magnetite 'cause I separated this single piece out by using a magnet.
WeChat Image_20180101142808.jpg
This is probably Gold, I don't know.
WeChat Image_20180101143102.jpg
There're a lot of large crystals, Quartz maybe?
WeChat Image_20180101143050.jpg
There're a lot of blue/purple metal pieces, I think the blue ones are Labradorite. Maybe.
Acid treatment XRF result:
46.png
I suppose the Fe dissolved (originally 10.3858%) is Hematite and what's left is mainly Magnetite.

Ps. Au below 1000ppm won't show clear set of peaks, current spectrum I've only seen the La-peak but not other peaks. So I can't be sure how much Au is there in the sample through XRF analysis. I wonder how do I remove Ca and Si which together occupying almost 25%..
 
Back
Top