A Study on Au(I) Extraction from Gold-containing Polysulfide Solution with TBP

Extraction of Au(I) from gold containing polysulfide solution with TBP is studied, and some factors affecting extraction equilibrium were investigated. TBP is able to extract Au(Ⅰ) from the high alkaline polysulfide solution. Variation in aqueous and organic phases affects the extraction. The gold recovery increases with the increase of S 2- x concentration. When NH 3·H 2O is present in aqueous phase, appropriate S 2- x concentration is 1.5 mol/L and when the concentration of TBP in aqueous phase increases, the gold extraction ratio increases. Variation in temperature and initial concontration of Au(Ⅰ) in aqueous phase have little effect on the gold extronction, and the diluents for the extraction are nonarmatic solvents. NH 3·H 2O presented in aqueous phase has a great effect on the gold extraction and leads to the difference in the gold extraction mechanism.