Gold mineral processing involves several stages, from ore extraction to the final refined product. The machinery used in gold ore processing varies depending on the type of ore (e.g., free-milling, refractory, or placer) and the processing method. Below is an overview of key machines and equipment used in gold mineral processing:
1. Crushing & Grinding Equipment
– Jaw Crusher: Primary crushing of large gold-bearing rocks.
– Cone Crusher/Gyratory Crusher: Secondary crushing for finer material.
– Ball Mill/Rod Mill: Grinding crushed ore into fine powder to liberate gold particles.
– SAG Mill (Semi-Autogenous Grinding): Used for large-scale operations to reduce ore size.
2. Gravity Separation Equipment
– Shaking Table: Separates gold from lighter gangue minerals based on density.
– Spiral Concentrator: Uses centrifugal force to recover fine gold.
– Jig Machine: Pulsating water separates heavy gold particles from lighter material.
– Centrifugal Concentrator (Knelson/Falcon): High-G force recovers fine gold.
3. Flotation Equipment
– Flotation Cells (Mechanical/Column): Used for sulfide ores where gold is locked in minerals like pyrite; chemicals help separate gold-bearing froth.
4. Leaching & Adsorption Systems
– CIL/CIP Tanks (Carbon-in-Leach/Carbon-in-Pulp): Gold dissolves in cyanide solution, then adsorbs onto activated carbon.
– Heap Leach Pads: Low-grade ores are stacked and irrigated with cyanide to dissolve gold.
5. Refining & Smelting Equipment
– Electrowinning Cells: Extract gold from solution onto steel wool cathodes.
– Induction Furnace/Smelting Furnace: Melt gold concentrate into doré bars.
– Miller/Chlorination Process: Removes impurities from raw gold.
6. Tailings & Environmental Management
– Thickeners & Filters (Filter Presses): De-water tailings for dry stacking.
– Cyanide Destruction Units (INCO/SO₂ process): Treats wastewater before disposal.
7. Auxiliary Equipment
– Conveyors & Feeders: Transport ore between processing stages.
– Pumps
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