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The alchemy of Gold Recovery

While ancient civilizations relied on rudimentary techniques to separate gold from rock, today’s mining
industry has mastered the science of extraction. The carbon-in-pulp (CIP) and carbon-in-leach (CIL)
processes stand at the forefront of innovation, using activated carbon to pull gold from its ore.

The journey of Gold through Carbon

Crushing and Grinding: The gold-bearing ore undergoes crushing and grinding to break it into fine
particles, increasing the surface area for chemical interactions.

Leaching Process: A cyanide solution is introduced, dissolving gold into a liquid state to create a
gold-cyanide complex.

Adsorption onto Carbon: Here’s where carbon steps in—activated carbon is added to the mix, acting like a sponge that attracts and traps gold particles onto its porous surface.

Elution Process: The gold-laden carbon is then separated and treated with a heated caustic solution to strip the precious metal from the carbon.

Electro winning or Precipitation: The extracted gold is finally recovered from the solution using an
electrochemical or chemical precipitation process.

Carbon Regeneration: Spent carbon is rejuvenated through high-temperature treatment, making it ready for reuse.

The United States and Britain initiated strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen a month ago in retaliation for the attacks on Red Sea shipping, the U.S. government declared the Houthis as a terrorist group, but it has come to light that following this designation, the Houthis carried out attacks on ships bound for the United States.

— Janet Rodrigues, Supergas India

Why Carbon is the Secret Ingredient

Superior Adsorption Capacity: With its vast surface area, activated carbon efficiently captures even the smallest gold particles. Economic Advantage: The process reduces costs by maximizing gold recovery while minimizing waste. Reusability & Sustainability: Carbon can be reactivated and reused multiple times, making it an eco-friendly option in the mining industry. Minimizing Environmental Impact: By aiding in efficient extraction, carbon helps reduce the excessive use of chemicals, promoting responsible mining practices.

Overcoming Challenges in Carbon Usage

Before dive in further, it’s crucial to grasp the geography of major sea routes that intricately link the entire globe. Among these, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Hormuz emerge as vital connectors.

Overcoming Challenges in Carbon Usage

A photo released by the Houthi Media Centre depicts Houthi forces boarding the cargo ship
Galaxy Leader on November 19, 2023

Despite its advantages, carbon-based gold recovery faces challenges such as fouling, attrition, and
efficiency loss over multiple cycles. However, ongoing research is enhancing carbon materials and
regeneration techniques to ensure optimal performance in gold mining operations.Many articles are
surfacing, reporting that shipping companies have raised freight rates and insurance prices due to
pirate’s attacks in the region. This surge in costs has significantly increased the expenses associated
with product delivery. Exporters are now urging delivery companies to consider opting for product
insurance, all of which is a consequence of a recent Houthi rebel attack. Houthi fighters hijacked a
British-owned and Japanese-operated ship in the Red Sea on November 19. In response, the US and the UK
have conducted strikes on Houthi bases in Yemen, as the group repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea.
The Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel group that considers Israel an enemy, possess high-end drones and
missiles, using them to attack more than a dozen cargo ships passing through the Suez Canal.

In addition to these challenges, Somali Pirates are notorious for hijacking ships in their path, causing great loss of both life and goods. In light of these security concerns, major shipping companies have ceased using the Red Sea, through which almost 15% of global seaborne trade usually passes and are opting for a much longer route around southern Africa instead, moreover, ships opting for longer routes incur higher fuel costs and longer delivery times, adding further financial strain to both buyer and consumer.

Conclusion

While gold may steal the spotlight, carbon is the quiet force driving its extraction. As mining
technology evolves, so too will the innovations in carbon-based recovery, ensuring sustainable and
efficient gold mining for the future.

For more insights into how CG Carbon supports the gold mining industry with high-quality activated carbon solutions, contact us today!