The importance of sample preparation in the hydrometallurgical processing of refractory gold concentrates

The article indicates the importance of thorough preparation of concentrate samples before hydrometallurgical operations; the experiments on studying of the factor of the size of the material are described. The comparative analysis of particle size after conventional and fine grinding is carried out. As obligatory stage of preparation of the crushed concentrate before autoclave leaching, the decarbonization process is studied. On the basis of the conducted experiments, the optimal regime of the autoclave leaching process is revealed, which provides the oxidation degree of sulfide sulfur of the order of 99%.