Can we extract gold from old mining waste? New research reveals potential
A new study of tailings from Tanzania's Golden Pride Project proves that even low-grade ores (just 0.72 g/t Au) can become profitable thanks to modern technology! Scientists analyzed 1.4 million tons of old waste deposits — long considered worthless — and found they could now be economically viable to process.
Key findings:
✔️ Average gold content: 0.72 g/t, with 74% of the gold concentrated in the fine –75 µm fraction after grinding.
✔️ Dominant minerals: quartz, muscovite, and kaolinite—typical of gold-quartz ore types.
✔️ Minimal harmful impurities (copper <0.05%, sulfur <0.5%), making extraction easier.
How can it be processed?
🔹 Heap leaching — the most cost-effective method for such ores. Similar deposits (e.g., Russia's Mayskoe) achieve 70–80% gold recovery.
🔹 For finer fractions, carbon-in-pulp (CIP) with grinding and classification works best.
Why does this matter now?
With rising gold prices and advancing tech, yesterday’s waste could become tomorrow’s gold source — boosting profits while reducing environmental impact.
For more information, see the article:
📌 Shirima J., Wikedzi A., Rasskazova A.V. Investigation of old waste dump composition of lean gold-bearing ores from the Golden Pride Project (GPP) mining operation in Nzega district, Tanzania. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2024;9(1):5-11. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2023-07-130
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👉t.iss.one/MinSciTech👈
#Inenglish #MST #Gold #TailingsReprocessing #GoldenPride #HeapLeaching #CarbonInPulp #Mining #Mineralogy #GoldMining #LowGradeOre #Technology #Economics #Tanzania #Research #XRD #XRF #75micron #Kaolinite #Quartz #Muscovite #Sustainability
A new study of tailings from Tanzania's Golden Pride Project proves that even low-grade ores (just 0.72 g/t Au) can become profitable thanks to modern technology! Scientists analyzed 1.4 million tons of old waste deposits — long considered worthless — and found they could now be economically viable to process.
Key findings:
✔️ Average gold content: 0.72 g/t, with 74% of the gold concentrated in the fine –75 µm fraction after grinding.
✔️ Dominant minerals: quartz, muscovite, and kaolinite—typical of gold-quartz ore types.
✔️ Minimal harmful impurities (copper <0.05%, sulfur <0.5%), making extraction easier.
How can it be processed?
🔹 Heap leaching — the most cost-effective method for such ores. Similar deposits (e.g., Russia's Mayskoe) achieve 70–80% gold recovery.
🔹 For finer fractions, carbon-in-pulp (CIP) with grinding and classification works best.
Why does this matter now?
With rising gold prices and advancing tech, yesterday’s waste could become tomorrow’s gold source — boosting profits while reducing environmental impact.
For more information, see the article:
📌 Shirima J., Wikedzi A., Rasskazova A.V. Investigation of old waste dump composition of lean gold-bearing ores from the Golden Pride Project (GPP) mining operation in Nzega district, Tanzania. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2024;9(1):5-11. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2023-07-130
Subscribe to the journal's Telegram channel:
👉t.iss.one/MinSciTech👈
#Inenglish #MST #Gold #TailingsReprocessing #GoldenPride #HeapLeaching #CarbonInPulp #Mining #Mineralogy #GoldMining #LowGradeOre #Technology #Economics #Tanzania #Research #XRD #XRF #75micron #Kaolinite #Quartz #Muscovite #Sustainability
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