Effect of contaminant carbonaceous matter on the sorption of gold by pyrite

A diagnostic elution of the preg-robbing pyrite samples indicated that the reduction of gold at the pyrite surfaces was the dominant mechanism for gold adsorption on pyrite, followed by physical and chemical adsorption. Surface topological studies by SEM/EDX showed that gold adsorbed at defect sites on pyrite surfaces. For the pyrite with a 5% carbon coating, gold was observed to adsorb not only at the defect sites, but also at the smooth surfaces with carbon present. For the pyrite with a 5% graphite coating, carbon was also found at the pyrite surfaces, but gold was only detected at the defect sites. XPS studies revealed that part of the gold physically and chemically adsorbed on pyrite or pyrite coated with carbon or graphite. Some gold cyanide was reduced at the pyrite surfaces, with the sulphide ions of pyrite being oxidised to elemental sulphur.