Latest bench-scale and pilot trial data confirms CNLITE Gold Leaching Agent achieves up to 96% silver recovery on gold-silver ores — significantly outperforming sodium cyanide at 88–91%.
New data from bench-scale and pilot-scale trials conducted across six operations in Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and South Africa confirms that CNLITE Gold Leaching Agent achieves up to 96% silver recovery on gold-silver ores — a significant improvement over sodium cyanide's typical 88–91% recovery range.
Trial Methodology
Trials were conducted at six operations processing gold-silver ores with silver grades ranging from 15 to 120 g/t. Each trial ran for a minimum of 30 days under controlled conditions, with daily sampling and independent laboratory analysis.
Key parameters maintained across all trials:
- pH: 10.0–10.5
- CNLITE concentration: 1.0–1.2 g/L
- Dissolved oxygen: 5–7 mg/L
- Temperature: 22–28°C
- Leach time: 24–36 hours
Results Summary
| Operation | Ore Type | Silver Grade | Cyanide Recovery | CNLITE Recovery | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Op. A (Zimbabwe) | Au-Ag oxide | 45 g/t | 89% | 95% | +6% |
| Op. B (Tanzania) | Au-Ag mixed | 28 g/t | 88% | 94% | +6% |
| Op. C (South Africa) | Au-Ag sulphide | 120 g/t | 91% | 96% | +5% |
| Op. D (Zimbabwe) | Au-Ag oxide | 15 g/t | 90% | 95% | +5% |
| Op. E (Tanzania) | Au-Ag transitional | 62 g/t | 87% | 93% | +6% |
| Op. F (South Africa) | Au-Ag mixed | 38 g/t | 89% | 94% | +5% |
Why CNLITE Outperforms on Silver
The superior silver recovery is attributed to CNLITE's different complexation chemistry. While cyanide forms a relatively stable silver-cyanide complex, CNLITE's active compounds form a more soluble silver complex that is more readily adsorbed onto activated carbon in CIL/CIP circuits.
Economic Impact
For an operation processing 3,000 t/month with a 50 g/t silver grade at current silver prices (~$28/oz):
- Additional silver recovered per month: ~290 oz
- Additional revenue: ~$8,100/month
- Annual uplift: ~$97,000
This silver recovery advantage alone can offset the higher reagent cost of CNLITE for many operations.
Availability of Full Trial Data
The complete trial data, including daily recovery curves, reagent consumption data, and economic analysis, is available on request. Contact our technical team to receive the full report.
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