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Navas Jaramillo, Santiago Jose; Gonzalez Zuñiga, Renato Efren (2025) Characteristics of Mineralization of Refractory Gold and Its Influence on Cyanide Gold Leaching Rates: A Case Study in Pituca II, Zamora Chinchipe, Ecuador. Minerals, 15 (5). doi:10.3390/min15050523

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Reference TypeJournal (article/letter/editorial)
TitleCharacteristics of Mineralization of Refractory Gold and Its Influence on Cyanide Gold Leaching Rates: A Case Study in Pituca II, Zamora Chinchipe, Ecuador
JournalMinerals
AuthorsNavas Jaramillo, Santiago JoseAuthor
Gonzalez Zuñiga, Renato EfrenAuthor
Year2025Volume<   15   >
Issue<   5   >
URL
DOIdoi:10.3390/min15050523Search in ResearchGate
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Mindat Ref. ID18462184Long-form Identifiermindat:1:5:18462184:2
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Full ReferenceNavas Jaramillo, Santiago Jose; Gonzalez Zuñiga, Renato Efren (2025) Characteristics of Mineralization of Refractory Gold and Its Influence on Cyanide Gold Leaching Rates: A Case Study in Pituca II, Zamora Chinchipe, Ecuador. Minerals, 15 (5). doi:10.3390/min15050523
Plain TextNavas Jaramillo, Santiago Jose; Gonzalez Zuñiga, Renato Efren (2025) Characteristics of Mineralization of Refractory Gold and Its Influence on Cyanide Gold Leaching Rates: A Case Study in Pituca II, Zamora Chinchipe, Ecuador. Minerals, 15 (5). doi:10.3390/min15050523
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Abstract/NotesThe recovery of gold in metallurgical processes is significantly influenced by the presence of refractory minerals. This study investigates the mineralogical characteristics of refractory gold in the Pituca II ore deposit, with a focus on identifying the sulfide minerals that encapsulate gold particles and understanding their impact on gold recovery rates via cyanidation leaching. To establish a theoretical basis for optimizing gold recovery, a comprehensive suite of analytical techniques including electron microprobe analysis, petrographic analysis, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and X-ray diffraction was employed to characterize the ore’s composition and mineralogical properties. The primary ore minerals identified were pyrite, galena, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite, with hessite occurring as an accessory phase. Gold was observed as fine-grained particles (<40 µm), predominantly enclosed within pyrite and galena, contributing to its refractory nature. Cyanidation tests revealed a strong correlation between particle size and leaching efficiency: material ground to D80 = 170 mesh (90 μm) achieved a recovery rate of 81.2%, compared to 72.2% for material at D80 = 100 mesh (150 μm). These findings elucidate the mineralogical constraints on gold recovery and underscore the necessity of appropriate particle size reduction to enhance leaching performance. The study provides practical insights and targeted recommendations for pretreatment strategies, thereby contributing to more efficient exploitation of refractory gold ores in similar geological settings.

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LocalityCitation Details
Pituca II mine, Zamora Canton, Zamora-Chinchipe Province, Ecuador

Mineral Occurrences

LocalityMineral(s)
Pituca II mine, Zamora Canton, Zamora-Chinchipe Province, Ecuador Albite, Alkali Feldspar, Breccia, Calcite, Chalcopyrite, Chlorite Group, Galena, Hessite, Illite, Muscovite, Native Gold, Phengite, Pyrite, Quartz, Sphalerite, Tuff-breccia


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