Process Development For A Gold/Silver Mining-Milling Project

On the basis of experience accumulated during the completion of some 150 gold/silver process development projects, general guidelines are presented for developing the most cost effective process for a specific project. Steps involved in process development for lode ore deposits generally include a review of pertinent background information on the ore deposit, sample procurement and preparation, sample characterization, study of concentration possibilities, investigation of leaching and metal recovery methods, economic evaluation of alternative processes, optimization of the selected process, a pilot plant program if warranted, and finally, process design and feasibility studies. Each of these steps is discussed, with emphasis on the relation between technology and economics.