Carbonaceous is a term loosely applied to those ores containing black graphitic material which causes dissolved gold to adsorb on the carbon thus causing premature precipitation. The gold adsorbed on the carbon is lost with the tailings. Refractory carbonaceous material in gold ores has presented metallurgical problems since cyanidation was adopted in the late 1800's. Some carbonaceous material (unactivated) may not be an adsorbant for gold. Many schemes have been tried such as blanking the carbon with kerosene or fuel oil thereby inhibiting adsorption of gold from solution. Kerr-Addison employs this practice.
Carbonaceous gold ores in the State of Nevada are essentially hydrothermally altered silty dolomitic limestones. The carbonaceous materials are graphitic or activated carbon and long chain organic compounds similar to humic acids. Oxidation by roasting at 500 to 550°C is effective, but costly. Another treatment is chlorine oxidation in pulp as used at Carlin.
Carbonaceous gold ores in the State of Nevada are essentially hydrothermally altered silty dolomitic limestones. The carbonaceous materials are graphitic or activated carbon and long chain organic compounds similar to humic acids. Oxidation by roasting at 500 to 550°C is effective, but costly. Another treatment is chlorine oxidation in pulp as used at Carlin.
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