Abstract
Purpose. To study gold-bearing ores subjected to heap leaching technology to identify both free gold particles, as well as gold in aggregates and adhesions, which makes it possible to obtain data on the distribution of gold by its occurrence forms. Methodolgy. Leaching process studies are conducted at the laboratory setup of the Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The gold particles are studied using an AxioScope A1 optical microscope on the polished thin section surface. The sample materials are taken from the heap leaching site of the Vasilkovsky gold ore deposit. Findings. As a result of a microscopic test of a sample taken from the heap leaching site, ultrafine-dispersed and finely-dispersed gold particles have been found both in free form and in aggregates with waste rock and arsenical pyrite, as well as the fact of Au particles adhesions, accumulated on a grain of the host waste rock. The size class of detected Au particles varies from 0.35 to 9.5 m. Originality. For the first time, according to the samples of gold-bearing ores of the Vasilkovsky gold ore deposit, a pattern of the gold distribution according to the forms of its occurrence has been revealed. Practical value. The data obtained as a result of the research make it possible to predict the distribution of the gold form occurrence in other areas of the deposit. This can greatly simplify the conditions for its development, as well as adjust the technological process of leaching the gold-bearing ores and the main technological parameters of the heap leaching process.