Determination of gold in copper-bearing sulphide ores and metallurgical flotation products by atomic-absorption spectrometry.
A method is described which is specific for the determination of gold in sulphide copper ores and concentrates. Direct decomposition with aqua regia was found to be incomplete. A carefully controlled roasting stage followed by treatment with hydrochloric acid and then aqua regia was effective for dissolving all the gold. The gold is extracted into 4-methylpentan-2-one (methyli-sobutylketone) then aspirated into a very lean air-acetylene flame and the gold determined by atomic-absorption spectrometry. No interferences were observed from large concentrations of copper, iron or nickel.
Strong
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B
Charter Consolidated Metallurgical Laboratory, Ashford, Kent, England.
Murray-Smith
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R