flow chart of mining process of gold

Here’s a simplified flow chart of the gold mining process, covering the key stages from exploration to refining:

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Gold Mining Process Flow Chart

1. Exploration
– Geological surveys & sampling
– Drilling to confirm gold deposits
– Resource estimation

2. Feasibility Study
– Economic & environmental assessment
– Mine planning & permitting

3. Site Development
– Clearing land & constructing infrastructure (roads, power, water)
– Building processing facilities

4. Mining Method Selection (Choose based on deposit type):
– Open-Pit Mining (for near-surface deposits)
– Drilling & blasting
– Loading ore onto trucks
– Underground Mining (for deep deposits)
– Shafts, tunnels, and stopes

5. Ore Processing (Beneficiation)
A) Crushing & Grinding (Ore → Fine particles)
B) Gravity Separation (Optional for coarse gold)
C) Cyanidation / Leaching (Main method):
– Ore mixed with cyanide solution → Gold dissolves into liquid
– Adsorption onto activated carbon (CIP/CIL process)

6. Gold Extraction & Refining
– Elution & Electrowinning: Gold stripped from carbon → Smelted into doré bars (~90% pure)
– Refining: Further purification to 99.99% gold (via chlorination or electrolysis)

7. Waste Management
– Tailings storage in engineered dams
– Water treatment (cyanide detoxification)

8. Clos & Reclamation
– Land rehabilitation & monitoring

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Simplified Visual Flow:
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Exploration → Feasibility → Development → Mining → Crushing/Grinding → Leaching →
Carbon Adsorption → Elution/Electrowinning → Smelting → Refining
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Would you like a more detailed breakdown of any specific stage?