System and method for recovering precious metals from precursor-type ore materials

摘要

The present invention provides a system and method for recovering a precious metal from a geologic material. The system and method may include combining a geologic material containing a precious metal present in a non-bulk state with a first stage flux composition. The combination may be milled to provide a first stage mixture. The first stage mixture may be sintered for a first period of time at a first temperature and a second period of time at a second temperature. The second temperature may be greater than the first temperature. Sintering may promote the transition of a portion of the precious metal from a non-bulk state to a bulk state. A first stage sintered material may be recovered with a content of at least about 0.15 weight percent of the precious metal in the bulk state.

主权项

1. A method for recovering a precious metal from a geologic material, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) forming a slurry including:
(i) a geologic material including at least one precious metal, the at least one precious metal being present in a non-bulk state,(ii) a surfactant, and(iii) urea; (b) agitating the slurry; (c) recovering a solid fraction from the agitated slurry; and (d) sintering the solid fraction according to a first sintering profile that causes a portion of the at least one precious metal to agglomerate within the solid fraction into a bulk state of the at least one precious metal, the at least one precious metal having in the bulk state a greater weight percent of the solid fraction than the at least one precious metal had prior to sintering the solid fraction.