Specialists from Irkutsk have developed a new reagent that allows you to extract more gold from ore at the beneficiation stage. The innovation belongs to scientists from the Irkutsk National Research Technical University and the Institute of Chemistry named after. A. E. Favorsky SB RAS.
The new compound is called 2-butyl-2-ethylpropane-1,3-diol xanthate. It acts as a collecting agent in flotation, a method of ore beneficiation in which valuable metal particles are separated from waste rock using air bubbles. The unique composition is protected by a patent and is designed to work together with traditional foaming agents, enhancing their effect.
Tests carried out within the framework of the Priority 2030 program confirmed the high efficiency of the development. Over three years of research, scientists synthesized and tested more than 40 new reagents in an effort to improve mining technologies. Chemical synthesis was carried out at the Institute of Chemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and technological tests were carried out in the laboratories of INRTU.
The introduction of such a reagent into gold mining enterprises can significantly increase the profitability of ore processing. This is especially true for deposits with low precious metal content.
The research team plans to continue research and create compounds for the extraction of rare earth metals. They plan to support work in this area with a grant from the Russian Science Foundation. The development of such technologies strengthens the country’s raw material security and opens up new opportunities for the mining industry.
The material was prepared with the support of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science as part of the Decade of Science and Technology.
Source: @dprom
