What is best way to process iron out of gold ore

[Dtms]

I have a buddy who has a family mine that has ore that is very high in iron. A normal sulfuric acid wash is not getting it out. Do any of you chemical geniuses have any idea as to what the best way is to process it out?

Thanks

 

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[ecmjamsit]

I'm guessing you have an ore containing iron pyrite? Usually only roasting the ore will relieve the iron.

Rcovery of gold in pyritic ores

 

[Geochemdog]

If it is sulfide ore, first off, unless it is a exceptionally high quality telluride, I doubt it will be worth the cost in chemical and labor. First you would roast the ore for 5 to 8 hours at 500+ F. Then you would pulverize the ore, treat with hydrochloric acid then neutralize, then treat with nitric acid and neutralize. Finally smelt recovered material with flux. Or you could dissolve final material with aqua regia, buffer, then precipitate out the Au with sodium metabisulfate..........DO NOT DO THIS INDOORS, YOU COULD DIE. INFACT YOU REALLY SHOULDNT DO THIS AT ALL UNLESS YOU ARE IN A LAB OR PROPER REFINING FACILITIES. This is why it mayyy not be worth the effort. If ore is free milling type that is contaminated with iron oxide then its much simpler.