Gold Recovery Activated Carbon Performance

Performance Beyond a Single Specification

Effective gold recovery depends on the right balance of adsorption capacity, adsorption kinetics, mechanical durability, particle integrity, regeneration stability, and particle size distribution.
No single laboratory value can define the performance of activated carbon in a gold recovery circuit. A carbon with high activity but poor mechanical integrity may generate gold-loaded fines, while an extremely hard carbon with slow adsorption kinetics may limit recovery under short contact times. YICARB evaluates activated carbon for gold recovery as a balanced performance system, helping operators select the appropriate AU grade for their CIP, CIL, or CIC process.

Performance Principle

The Right Carbon Is the Right Balance
Gold recovery performance is influenced by ore mineralogy, solution chemistry, residence time, carbon concentration, interstage screening, elution, and thermal regeneration. Activated carbon must therefore be evaluated across both adsorption and mechanical properties. The YICARB AU Series provides four performance levels—AU45, AU50, AU55, and AU60—allowing mines to match carbon properties with their operating requirements rather than relying on a single specification.

Performance Selection Matrix

Performance Dimension

Primary Indicator

Operational Relevance

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Gold Loading Capacity

K-Value; supported by activity and pore data

Equilibrium gold capacity under defined test conditions

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Adsorption Kinetics

R-Value

Rate of dissolved gold uptake under defined test conditions

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Mechanical Durability

Hardness; attrition; fines generation

Resistance to breakage during handling and circuit operation

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Particle Integrity

Platelet, flaky and soft particle content

Risk of weak particles entering the circuit

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Regeneration Stability

Activity, hardness and PSD after regeneration

Retention of usable performance across repeated cycles

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Particle Size Distribution

Sieve analysis and on-size percentage

Balance of kinetics, screen retention and hydraulic behavior

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Qualification Note
Laboratory Data Should Be Connected to Circuit Conditions
Laboratory specifications provide an essential basis for product comparison and batch control, but actual mine performance depends on site-specific conditions. Ore mineralogy, competing ions, solution chemistry, residence time, carbon concentration, screening, elution, regeneration, and handling practices can all influence the final result. For product qualification, YICARB recommends reviewing the complete technical data, comparing the candidate grade with the existing carbon, and conducting laboratory or plant trials under representative operating conditions.