Patent ID: 6395063
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
A method for pressure oxidation of a gold-bearing mineral material in particulate form to free gold from association with at least one sulfide mineral in the mineral material, to facilitate recovery of the gold, the method comprising:introducing a feed of the mineral material in particulate form into an autoclave, so that, in the autoclave, the mineral material is in a slurry with a liquid; introducing oxygen gas into said autoclave to contact the slurry and oxidize at least a portion of sulfide sulfur in the sulfide mineral; and agitating the slurry within the autoclave, said agitating comprising drawing into and expelling from a cavity of an agitator at least portions of said slurry and said oxygen gas to cycle said portions of said slurry and said oxygen gas through said cavity with a pumping action.