Non-Chemical Recovery of Au in an Fe Matrix

[tcobett]

Our Niton keeps telling us that we have 0.10% Au in an Iron matrix, but, we can't physically see it anywhere. Anyone know if this is possible? What is the best way to get rid of most of the Iron and leave behind the Gold? We have samples going through ICP-OES right now to confirm the Au. Our big problem is how to concentrate the Gold in the Iron.

 

[Lou]

More likely to be W. Tungsten gets its lines confused with Au on handheld EDXRF instruments. Either post the specta or digest the material in dilute sulfuric acid and then dissolve that residue in aqua regia.

Lou

 

[tcobett]

So, ICP-OES shows no Au but does show about 0.50% Iridium. So what's the best way to dissolve away the Iron and recover the Iridium? I'm thinking dilute sulfuric acid. We may then be able to elecrowin the iron from the solution.

 

[Lou]

I'm sure the ICP result should be questioned.


Try 1:1 muriatic and 10% w/v sulfuric acid