Emerging and Transformational Gold Processing Technologies

Developments in gold ore processing technology have resulted in periodic step changes for the industry over the years, which have resulted in advances in economic gold production. Factors influencing potential step-change technologies are discussed, including environmental considerations using less toxic reagents at higher degrees of recycle and recovery, which are already trending in leaching with both cyanide and alternative lixiviants. More reagent preparation and product refining operations may take place at the mine site, eliminating transportation costs and associated risks, and increasing overall profits on value metals. These innovations will be underpinned by rapid advances in automation, self-driving vehicles, high degrees of process simulation down to the chemical level, and virtual reality, all driven by accelerating advances in computing power. Ores will continue to be processed at lower grades and more complex mineralogy, with sources becoming less conventional and requiring more advanced and perhaps expensive technologies that would need to be offset by advances in process chemistry, engineering and control. Increased demand for gold may step change as a result of technology development for catalysts or other end uses, or simply by virtue of increasing population densities in emerging economies.