PROCESS FOR THE LIXIVIATION AND RECOVERY OF SILVER AND GOLD WITH COPPER AMMONIA THIOSULFATE SOLUTIONS.

摘要

The present invention refers to a an improved process for the lixiviation and recovery of precious metals from materials or minerals containing same, which is based on the use of copper ammonia thiosulfate solutions with EDTA and the selective direct electro separation thereof from said solutions. The remnant solution may be re-circulated to the lixiviation stage for obtaining a performance similar to that generated by fresh solutions, which implies that the solution composition was not substantially altered during the electro separation process. The improved process offers an efficiency and yield for recovering metals higher than those of processes currently available on the market.