In the primary metallurgical processes used by the mineral processing industry for gold bearing ores, gold is extracted with alkaline cyanide solutions and adsorbed onto activated carbon for recovery of the metal. Metallurgical accounting, process control, and ore evaluation procedures for this type of mineral processing plant depend on accurate, precise, and prompt measurements of gold concentrations in the activated carbon.

This test method for gold in activated carbon is intended primarily as a referee method to test such materials for metal content. It is assumed that those who use these procedures will be trained analysts capable of performing common laboratory procedures skillfully and safely. It is expected that work will be performed in a properly equipped laboratory and that proper waste disposal procedures will be followed. Appropriate quality control practices must be followed, such as those described in Guide E 882.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers the determination of gold in activated carbon by fire assay collection and gravimetric measurement. It covers the range of 15 μg to 5000 μg/g gold.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound values given in parentheses are for information only and are not considered standard.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazards statements, see Section 9 and 11.2.3-11.2.5, 11.3.4, and 11.3.4.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D2862 Test Method for Particle Size Distribution of Granular Activated Carbon

D2866 Test Method for Total Ash Content of Activated Carbon

D2867 Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon

E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications

E50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Considerations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials

E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials

E173 Practice for Conducting Interlaboratory Studies of Methods for Chemical Analysis of Metals

E276 Test Method for Particle Size or Screen Analysis at No. 4 (4.75-mm) Sieve and Finer for Metal-Bearing Ores and Related Materials

E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals

E882 Guide for Accountability and Quality Control in the Chemical Analysis Laboratory

E1601 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Evaluate the Performance of an Analytical Method

Keywords

activated carbon; gold content; Activated carbon; Fire assay method; Gold content; Gravimetric determination;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 77.120.99 (Other non-ferrous metals and their alloys)

Citing ASTM Standards

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