The Chlorination Volatilization Method is an advanced pyrometallurgical technique for the highly efficient extraction of precious metals. It utilizes chlorinating agents to convert target metals into volatile chlorides, which are then separated and captured alongside flue gases, thereby achieving the enrichment and recovery of precious metals. Compared to traditional cyanidation and hydrometallurgical methods, this technology demonstrates significant advantages in terms of environmental friendliness, adaptability, and economic viability.

1. High Adaptability

It can process carbonaceous, arsenical, and refractory gold ores—as well as complex metallurgical intermediate materials—that are difficult to treat using conventional cyanidation or hydrometallurgical methods. It eliminates the need for fine grinding prior to leaching, thereby shortening the overall process flow.

2. High Recovery Rate

The volatilization recovery rate for gold, platinum, and palladium can exceed 95%, making it particularly well-suited for the enrichment and extraction of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs).

3. Cyanide-Free

No cyanide is used throughout the entire process, thereby eliminating the risks associated with highly toxic chemicals at the source and meeting increasingly stringent environmental regulatory requirements.

4. High Enrichment Ratio

In a single-step operation, precious metals can be enriched from concentrations of just a few grams per ton to levels reaching tens of percent, significantly reducing the volume of material requiring subsequent processing.

5. Synergistic Multi-Metal Recovery

Metals such as gold, platinum, palladium, copper, and zinc can be simultaneously volatilized into the flue gas stream and subsequently extracted individually through downstream separation processes, thereby enhancing the comprehensive utilization of resources.

Key Application Areas

1. Gold Extraction from Refractory Ores

Specifically targets Carlin-type and carbonaceous-arsenical gold ores, resolving issues such as low gold recovery rates during cyanidation leaching and gold losses due to adsorption by carbonaceous matter.

2. Electronic Waste Processing

Recovers gold and palladium from discarded circuit boards and microchips, achieving the efficient separation of precious metals from plastic and ceramic substrates.

3. Recovery from Metallurgical Intermediate Materials

Processes materials such as anode slimes, flue dusts, and slags generated during copper and lead smelting operations to extract the associated precious metals contained within them.

In summary, the Chlorination Volatilization Method—with its advantages of being environmentally friendly, highly efficient, and broadly adaptable—offers a reliable pathway for the extraction of precious metals from refractory mineral resources and secondary waste streams, holding vast potential for future applications.