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Research and Development
After the formalisation of Gekko’s extensive Research and Development program, developing a process to treat ore underground, a number of major research projects have really started to take off, according to Gekko’s R&D Manager, Tim Hughes.
AUSTRALIAN processing equipment manufacturer, Gekko Systems, reports it is progressing well with trailblazing efforts to develop a viable method of treating ore in an underground environment. Above surface trials have been completed and the plant is currenly installed at the Central Rand Gold Mine near Johannesburg, South Africa. Two extra plants
To read more about the Gekko underground processing plant called Python click here
Meanwhile in another major research project at Gekko Systems, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling of the InLine Pressure Jig is well advanced and results indicate that minor design changes could increase fine gold and sulphide recovery.
On the AuRIX®100 Ion Exchange Resin front, all of Gekko’s test work using the resin has been compiled in a technical paper and presented at the AusIMM Extractive Metallurgy Operators’ Conference. The paper, The Use of AuRIX®100 Resin for the Selective Recovery of Gold and Silver from Copper, Gold and Silver Solutions, explains that by modifying the pH of the pregnant leach solution, the extraction of copper can be minimised while still maintaining high gold recovery. Further test work is being conducted on increasing the selectivity of gold over copper by varying both cyanide concentration and pH.
Future R&D work will focus on the underground processing plant project and continuing the AuRIX®100 resin selectively test work on copper/gold solutions.
Watch this space for more on these developments, or contact Tim Hughes for further information.
