Gold Leaching Q&A with ChatGPT .....

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H

Heavy-Black-Sand

Well-known member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2021
Messages
118
Location
BC
ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence technology ... in case you didn't know .....


QUESTION: ..... Do you know anything about gold leaching technology?


ANSWER: ..... Yes, I can provide some information about gold leaching technology. Gold leaching is the process of extracting gold from its ore using chemical methods. One common method is cyanide leaching, where cyanide is used to dissolve gold from the ore. Here's an overview of the process:
  1. Crushing and Grinding: The ore is first crushed and ground to a fine powder to increase the surface area for the leaching process.
  2. Gravity Separation: In some cases, gravity separation methods are used to separate the gold particles from the ore before leaching.
  3. Cyanide Leaching: This is the most widely used method for gold extraction. In this process, a weak cyanide solution (usually sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide) is applied to the crushed ore. The cyanide forms a complex with gold, dissolving it from the ore.
  4. Carbon-in-Pulp (CIP) and Carbon-in-Leach (CIL): These are common methods for recovering gold from cyanide leach solutions. Activated carbon is used to adsorb the gold cyanide complex, and then the loaded carbon is separated from the pulp and the gold is later recovered from the carbon.
  5. Heap Leaching: In this method, large heaps of ore are sprayed with a dilute cyanide solution, and the solution percolates through the heap, dissolving gold. The gold-bearing solution is then collected and processed.
  6. Thiosulfate Leaching: This is an alternative to cyanide leaching. Thiosulfate is used as a leaching agent instead of cyanide. It is considered to be more environmentally friendly, but it is not as widely used as cyanide due to certain technical challenges.
  7. Biological Leaching: Some microorganisms can assist in the leaching process by oxidizing sulfide minerals, exposing the gold particles for further leaching.
It's important to note that while gold leaching is a common method for gold extraction, it also raises environmental concerns due to the toxicity of cyanide. Efforts are ongoing to develop more environmentally friendly alternatives and to improve the efficiency of existing methods. Additionally, regulations and safety measures are in place to mitigate the environmental impact of gold leaching operations.
 
Heavy-Black-Sand said:
QUESTION: ..... Do you know anything about gold leaching technology?


ANSWER: ..... Yes, I can provide some information about gold leaching technology. Gold leaching is the process of extracting gold from its ore using chemical methods. One common method is cyanide leaching, where cyanide is used to dissolve gold from the ore. Here's an overview of the process:
  1. Crushing and Grinding: The ore is first crushed and ground to a fine powder to increase the surface area for the leaching process.
  2. Gravity Separation: In some cases, gravity separation methods are used to separate the gold particles from the ore before leaching.
  3. Cyanide Leaching: This is the most widely used method for gold extraction. In this process, a weak cyanide solution (usually sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide) is applied to the crushed ore. The cyanide forms a complex with gold, dissolving it from the ore.
  4. Carbon-in-Pulp (CIP) and Carbon-in-Leach (CIL): These are common methods for recovering gold from cyanide leach solutions. Activated carbon is used to adsorb the gold cyanide complex, and then the loaded carbon is separated from the pulp and the gold is later recovered from the carbon.
  5. Heap Leaching: In this method, large heaps of ore are sprayed with a dilute cyanide solution, and the solution percolates through the heap, dissolving gold. The gold-bearing solution is then collected and processed.
  6. Thiosulfate Leaching: This is an alternative to cyanide leaching. Thiosulfate is used as a leaching agent instead of cyanide. It is considered to be more environmentally friendly, but it is not as widely used as cyanide due to certain technical challenges.
  7. Biological Leaching: Some microorganisms can assist in the leaching process by oxidizing sulfide minerals, exposing the gold particles for further leaching.
It's important to note that while gold leaching is a common method for gold extraction, it also raises environmental concerns due to the toxicity of cyanide. Efforts are ongoing to develop more environmentally friendly alternatives and to improve the efficiency of existing methods. Additionally, regulations and safety measures are in place to mitigate the environmental impact of gold leaching operations.
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QUESTION: ..... Can you describe how potassium cyanide is used during the gold leaching process


ANSWER: ..... Certainly. Potassium cyanide (KCN) is a widely used chemical in the gold mining industry for gold extraction through a process called cyanidation. The cyanide leaching process involves the use of a weak cyanide solution to dissolve the gold from the ore. Here's a step-by-step overview of how potassium cyanide is used in the gold leaching process:
  1. Crushing and Grinding: The gold ore is first crushed into smaller pieces and then ground into a fine powder. This increases the surface area of the ore, making it more accessible for the cyanide solution to interact with the gold.
  2. Preparation of Cyanide Solution: A weak solution of potassium cyanide is prepared. The most common forms of cyanide used are potassium cyanide (KCN) and sodium cyanide (NaCN). These salts dissociate in water to form free cyanide ions (CN⁻).
  3. Cyanidation: The crushed and ground ore is then mixed with the cyanide solution in a processing vessel, such as a tank or vat. The cyanide solution percolates through the ore, and the cyanide ions form a complex with the gold ions, resulting in the formation of a soluble gold cyanide complex.
    The chemical reaction involved is represented as follows: 4Au+8CN−+O2+2H2O→4[Au(CN)2]−+4OH−4Au+8CN−+O2+2H2O→4[Au(CN)2]−+4OH−
  4. Adsorption: To recover the dissolved gold from the solution, activated carbon is often used. The gold-cyanide complex adheres to the surface of activated carbon particles in a process known as adsorption. This can take place in either Carbon-in-Pulp (CIP) or Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) systems.
  5. Stripping: After the activated carbon has adsorbed a sufficient amount of gold, it is separated from the pulp. The gold is then stripped from the carbon using a hot alkaline solution, and the resulting gold-rich solution is further processed to recover the gold.
  6. Electrowinning or Zinc Precipitation: The gold is then recovered from the solution using methods such as electrowinning or zinc precipitation, where the gold is reduced onto a solid surface.
  7. Refining: The final step involves refining the gold to achieve the desired purity.
It's important to note that while cyanide is effective in extracting gold, it is a toxic substance, and strict regulations and safety measures are in place to minimize the environmental impact and ensure the safety of workers in gold mining operations. Additionally, there is ongoing research into alternative, less toxic methods for gold extraction.
 
Heavy-Black-Sand said:
QUESTION: ..... Can you describe how potassium cyanide is used during the gold leaching process


ANSWER: ..... Certainly. Potassium cyanide (KCN) is a widely used chemical in the gold mining industry for gold extraction through a process called cyanidation. The cyanide leaching process involves the use of a weak cyanide solution to dissolve the gold from the ore. Here's a step-by-step overview of how potassium cyanide is used in the gold leaching process:
  1. Crushing and Grinding: The gold ore is first crushed into smaller pieces and then ground into a fine powder. This increases the surface area of the ore, making it more accessible for the cyanide solution to interact with the gold.
  2. Preparation of Cyanide Solution: A weak solution of potassium cyanide is prepared. The most common forms of cyanide used are potassium cyanide (KCN) and sodium cyanide (NaCN). These salts dissociate in water to form free cyanide ions (CN⁻).
  3. Cyanidation: The crushed and ground ore is then mixed with the cyanide solution in a processing vessel, such as a tank or vat. The cyanide solution percolates through the ore, and the cyanide ions form a complex with the gold ions, resulting in the formation of a soluble gold cyanide complex.
    The chemical reaction involved is represented as follows: 4Au+8CN−+O2+2H2O→4[Au(CN)2]−+4OH−4Au+8CN−+O2+2H2O→4[Au(CN)2]−+4OH−
  4. Adsorption: To recover the dissolved gold from the solution, activated carbon is often used. The gold-cyanide complex adheres to the surface of activated carbon particles in a process known as adsorption. This can take place in either Carbon-in-Pulp (CIP) or Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) systems.
  5. Stripping: After the activated carbon has adsorbed a sufficient amount of gold, it is separated from the pulp. The gold is then stripped from the carbon using a hot alkaline solution, and the resulting gold-rich solution is further processed to recover the gold.
  6. Electrowinning or Zinc Precipitation: The gold is then recovered from the solution using methods such as electrowinning or zinc precipitation, where the gold is reduced onto a solid surface.
  7. Refining: The final step involves refining the gold to achieve the desired purity.
It's important to note that while cyanide is effective in extracting gold, it is a toxic substance, and strict regulations and safety measures are in place to minimize the environmental impact and ensure the safety of workers in gold mining operations. Additionally, there is ongoing research into alternative, less toxic methods for gold extraction.
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QUESTION: ..... Can you explain in detail how zinc is used to precipitate gold from a cyanide gold leach solution


ANSWER: ..... Certainly! The precipitation of gold from a cyanide leach solution using zinc is a common method in gold recovery. This process is known as Merrill-Crowe precipitation. Here's a detailed explanation of how zinc is used to precipitate gold from a cyanide solution:
  1. Gold Cyanidation: The process begins with the gold cyanidation step, where a weak cyanide solution is applied to the finely ground ore. This solution dissolves the gold from the ore, forming a soluble gold-cyanide complex.
  2. Carbon Adsorption (Optional): Before the precipitation step, some operations use activated carbon in a Carbon-in-Pulp (CIP) or Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) system to adsorb the gold-cyanide complex. This loaded carbon is then separated from the pulp and treated to recover the gold.
  3. Preparation of Zinc Dust or Zinc Shavings: Zinc is used in the form of either zinc dust or zinc shavings. These forms of zinc have a large surface area, which is crucial for efficient precipitation. Zinc dust is more commonly used in modern operations.
  4. Precipitation Reaction: The gold-cyanide complex in the solution reacts with zinc according to the following chemical equation: 2Au(CN)2−+Zn→2Au+Zn(CN)42−2Au(CN)2−+Zn→2Au+Zn(CN)42−
    In this reaction, zinc displaces gold from the gold-cyanide complex, resulting in the precipitation of gold as solid metallic particles.
  5. Filtering: After precipitation, the solution is passed through a filter to separate the solid gold particles from the liquid solution. The solid residue containing the gold is often referred to as the "precipitate" or "sludge."
  6. Washing: The precipitate is typically washed to remove any remaining cyanide solution or impurities. This is important to ensure the final gold product meets purity standards.
  7. Smelting or Refining: The washed and filtered gold precipitate is then further processed to obtain the final gold product. This can involve smelting, where the gold is melted and separated from impurities, or other refining methods depending on the desired purity.
The Merrill-Crowe process is effective for gold precipitation because zinc has a higher affinity for cyanide than gold does. As a result, zinc can effectively displace gold from the cyanide complex, leading to the formation of solid gold particles. This method is widely used in gold recovery, particularly in situations where activated carbon is not employed for adsorption.
 
QUESTION: ..... is it dangerous to mix Stannous Chloride with cyanide?


ANSWER: ..... Yes, it is extremely dangerous to mix stannous chloride (SnCl2) with cyanide. The combination of stannous chloride and cyanide can form a highly toxic and deadly gas known as hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Hydrogen cyanide is a colorless and extremely poisonous gas that interferes with the body's ability to use oxygen. Inhaling even small amounts of hydrogen cyanide can lead to rapid respiratory failure and death.

Stannous chloride itself is not typically considered highly toxic, but when combined with cyanide, the reaction can produce hydrogen cyanide gas, which poses a severe health risk. Therefore, it is critical to avoid any mixing or contact between stannous chloride and cyanide compounds.

Handling cyanide and its compounds requires strict adherence to safety protocols and guidelines due to their extreme toxicity. Persons working with cyanide should be trained on proper handling, storage, and disposal procedures. Additionally, appropriate personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection, should be used when working with cyanide compounds.

If you are dealing with these substances, it is crucial to consult with safety experts, follow relevant safety regulations, and take all necessary precautions to protect yourself and others from potential harm. Never attempt to mix stannous chloride or any other incompatible chemicals with cyanide without proper training and authorization.
 
FrugalRefiner said:
Frighteningly accurate.
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For the most part it is but they do make mistakes. I have responded to questions I have asked about refining just to see how accurate they can be and some responses were incorrect. I rephrased the question, pointing out the error, and they acknowledged the error and came back with an alternative answer. However it cannot be like it was researched as it spit out the answer within seconds of my question. And the second response was correct.

And if you notice, the last paragraph is always a bit of a legal CYA statement. I'll bet they have as many lawyers on staff as programmers!
 
That's the frightening aspect of it. For the most part, it is correct. Which means, when it makes a mistake, unless the person asking the question already has a pretty good idea of the answer, the mistake could be accepted as correct. Here on the forum, if someone makes a mistake, it is pretty quickly corrected by other members. On ChatGPT, there's no one to catch it. Frightening.

Dave
 
I like the fact that Heavy Sands is using all the research tools available to solve his dilemma. To that end what he has posted from Chat GPT is worth a read and the associated scrutiny given to all posts if there is an issue.
 
PROMPT: ..... Summarize the Borax Gold Recovery Method in the writing style of Tony Beets from the Gold Rush TV series from the Discovery Channel


ANSWER: ..... Well, ya see, the Borax Gold Recovery Method, it's a bit like genius, mate. No fancy stuff, just good ol' common sense. First, ya gotta crush that ore into a fine powder – turn it into dust, just like the dust in the Klondike wind. Then, concentrate the gold from that dirt using gravity – let the heavy stuff sink, like how I sift through the paydirt.

Now, here comes the magic part. Take that gold concentrate, mix it up with borax – sodium borate they call it. Borax acts like a wizard's potion, lowers the gold's melting point, makes it easier to separate from the junk. Then, fire up the furnace, melt that mix, and pour it into a mold. The gold sets, cools down, and there ya have it – gold recovered with a touch of Borax brilliance.

It's simple, it's effective, and it's all about getting the most out of what nature's given us. No need for fancy words, just hard work and a bit of Borax know-how. That's how we do it in the Klondike, where every ounce counts!.
 
Let the good times roll. Love the internet, it is the answer to all your questions. I can't wait to have the USB port plugged into the back of my head. In all seriousness, all the information I learned , came from good old college level school of mines books, and hands on technology. I would be even more confused, if I had the internet back then.
 
FrugalRefiner said:
Synthesized theater mixed with misinformation.

We used to get people coming here after they made a mess after watching a couple of Youtube videos. Now, we'll be getting people after they made a mess after asking ChatGPT.

Dave
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Yep, and they will want to argue that AI can’t be wrong and the forum don’t know what they are talking about.

Any software, including AI, is only as good as its input. And we know the input can be way off at times.
 

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