What waste are expected during gold refining to 99.99%

Hello colleagues. I am doing an environmental Impact Assessment for a proposed gold refinery in AFRICA and conducting relevant studies as to the waste generation profile for the process. The approach of the proponent is to refine using Nitric acid and HCL and Jane the copper hydroxide blue precipitate. Is this waste. What are the other waste source from the processes in the refining chain.

Thank you.
Comfort

Liquids: Acid waste, alkaline waste, cyanide waste, organic waste
Solids: inorganic salts waste, general garbage

You also have to contend with the various fumes that will be generated depending on what and how you process, some of these gases are extremely toxic and dangerous to every living thing so decent extraction and fume scrubbing will need to be included in any assessment.

Thank you very much. Very useful. I added also that the used crusibles, gloves and PPEs could constitute waste.

Fumes are major considerations as to air quality. Chemical waste as well. Effluent generation but composition of effluent requires verification.

Welcome to the forum.

You haven't specified what type of material you will be refining, based on the non precious metals that will remain in solution there are different options. Is this jewelry scrap, also called karat gold, or is it doré material from mining, or something entirely different? You will also have to deal with scrubber waste liquors from the fume scrubbing process. There may be other options for processing generating less waste but it all depends on what you start with. With more details into exactly what you client will be refining we can give you a better idea of your waste loads.