Industrial experiences in the evaluation of various flotation reagent schemes for the recovery of gold

This paper is a summary, of the author's industrial experiences on the sele ction and optimization of flotation reagent schemes for the recovery, of go ld species. The trends given are a composite of data and experiences gained on 24 different gold ores from around the globe. The primary, emphasis is on the benefits of matching the associated gold mineralogy to a reagent sch eme most appropriate for that mineralogy. Two general categories are discus sed: the flotation of free or native gold species and the flotation of gold associated with a variety of sulfide minerals. Important plant operating f actors influencing each of these two categories ape presented with supporti ng examples. Carefully matching reagent chemistry and appropriate operating conditions to any given gold-bearing ore will not only lower the total rea gent cost but, more importantly: can lead to measurable increases in gold r ecovery.