Inhibition of the depletion of precious metal values from pregnant lixiviant solutions

摘要

Methods for inhibiting depletion of metal values from pregnant lixiviant solutions comprise contacting the requisite metal ore with a prep-robbing inhibition agent (PRIA) comprising one of: (I) alkyl polyglucoside surfactants; (II) imidazoline based amphoteric surfactants; (III) hydroformylation products of lower (C2-C8) alkanes in an organic solvent medium, and (IV) esters and aldehydes. The method is particularly effective in heap leaching of gold with a cyanide lixiviant.