Pilot-Scale Laboratory Equipment for Agitated Gold Cyanidation

Abstract

 Gold cyanidation remains the dominant hydrometallurgical technology for gold extraction, accounting for more than 78% of global production, despite persistent environmental and process-efficiency challenges. Although cyanidation chemistry is well established, a critical gap persists in the availability of pilot-scale laboratory systems capable of ensuring precise hydrodynamic control, regulated aeration, automated reagent dosing, and long-term operational stability required for reliable kinetic evaluation. This study presents the design, construction, and validation of a pilot-scale laboratory installation for agitated cyanidation of gold-bearing ores, concentrates, and tailings. The system integrates chemically resistant reactor materials, optimized propeller-driven mixing, controlled air dispersion, automated peristaltic reagent dosing, and vacuum-assisted sampling for continuous monitoring. A structured experimental program was conducted to determine optimal cyanide dosage, aeration rate, pulp density, pH control strategy, and leaching duration under stabilized process conditions. The installation enables continuous operation for up to 168 hours, multi-sample parallel testing, and minimal operator intervention while maintaining high reproducibility and operational stability. The results demonstrate that the system provides a robust experimental framework for kinetic evaluation and reagent optimization. The proposed configuration bridges the methodological gap between conventional laboratory testing and industrial cyanidation circuits, offering a scalable platform for advanced hydrometallurgical research.