Characterization by QEMSCAN and FE-SEM of ore bodies gold artisanally treated with mercury in Antioquia, Colombia // Caracterización por QEMSCAN y FE-SEM de yacimientos de oro tratados artesanalmente con mercurio en Antioquia, Colombia

Authors

  • Nestor Ricardo Rojas Reyes Universidad Nacional de Colombia sede Medellín
  • Luver Echeverry-Vargas Universidad Nacional de Colombia sede Medellín
  • Jesús Cataño-Martínez Universidad Nacional de Colombia sede Medellín

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15665/rp.v15i2.1199

Keywords:

Caracterización mineralógica, yacimientos, oro, mercurio, QEMSCAN, FE-SEM

Abstract

En este trabajo se presenta la caracterización mineralógica de tres yacimientos auríferos ubicados en el nordeste del departamento de Antioquia, Colombia, que actualmente son beneficiados con mercurio. A tres yacimientos de oro se le realizaron cinco pruebas: determinación de especies minerales y análisis de imágenes en falso color por QEMSCAN®; identificación y cuantificación de oro por FE-SEM; análisis al fuego y pruebas de cianuración. Los resultados por QEMSCAN mostraron que los yacimientos en estudio están formados principalmente por cuarzo, feldespato potásico, moscovita y pirita. Los resultados por FE-SEM arrojaron que el oro se encuentra principalmente como nódulos nanoscópicos esparcidos en la moscovita y el cuarzo. Otra cantidad de oro se encuentra en forma de electrum. El ensayo al fuego entregó que la cantidad de oro estaba entre 1 y 34 g/t y las pruebas de cianuración arrojaron que es posible extraer el oro hasta en un 80% solamente con molienda y cianuración directa sin ningún otro tratamiento. Estos resultados pueden ser la base para una propuesta con métodos metalúrgicos alternativos que permitan la extracción del oro sin la utilización de mercurio.

Author Biography

  • Nestor Ricardo Rojas Reyes, Universidad Nacional de Colombia sede Medellín
    Director de Departamento de Materiales y Minerales de la Facultad de Minas de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia sede Medellín

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Published

2017-07-06

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2017): Julio - Diciembre

Section

Articles

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