The BIOX® Process for Biooxidation of Gold-Bearing Ores or Concentrates

GENCOR S.A. Ltd. has pioneered the commercialization of biooxidation of refractory gold ores. Development of the BIOX® process started in the late 197os at GENCOR Process Research, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The early work was championed by Eric Livesey-Goldblatt, the manager of GENCOR Process Research who directed pioneering and innovative research into bacterial oxidation of refractory gold ores prior to cyanidation. This work was driven by the need to replace Fairview’s outmoded Edward’s roasters, which at the time were seriously contributing to pollution in the Barberton area.

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