Our leach and adsorption circuits
Carbon in column
The CIC circuit is an adsorption-only system used to treat relatively clear pregnant solutions, such as heap leach, CCD, and pre-leach thickener overflow. Upflowing tanks from an active fluidised carbon bed, which adsorbs the metal through a series of adsorption stages.
- Smaller footprint with vertical arrangement possible.
- Lower installation costs.
- Low carbon attrition.
Leach-Carbon in pulp
Comprising separate leaching and adsorption tanks, the leach-CIP circuit first leaches the ore pulp in agitated tanks, dissolving the gold and silver into a slurry over 24 – 72 hours. The leached slurry is then routed to agitated CIP tanks for adsorption.
- Less gold lock-up.
- Lower carbon inventory.
- Interstage screens retain carbon in the tanks.
Carbon in leach
Combining leach and adsorption into a single process, CIL circuits introduce cyanide, ore pulp, oxygen, and carbon at the same time. Sizing of the tanks is calculated based on the time needed to complete ore leaching, usually 24-72 hours.
- High recovery of preg-robbing ore.
- Smaller environmental footprint.
- Interstage screens retain carbon in the tanks.