Application of Response Surface Methodology for Optimization of Vat Leaching Parameters in Small Scale Mines: Case Study of Tanzania
[1]
Morris Frank Hiji, College of Earth Sciences, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania.
[2]
Sospeter Pastory Maganga, College of Earth Sciences, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania.
In this work, the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to study and optimize the vat leaching operating parameters namely as cyanide concentration, slurry pH and particle size. The experimental design was performed with aid of Minitab (version 16) statistical software. The Central Composite Design (CCD) was used to model and analyse the effect of the operating parameters. According to a quadratic model, the optimal conditions for highest gold leach recovery of 83% were found by a cyanide concentration of 950 ppm, slurry pH of 10.5 and particle size of 240 µm. The results are much significant compared with the current gold recovery of between 60 to 70%. The samples were collected at Nyarugusu small scale mines (Geita, Tanzania).
RSM, Vat Leaching, CCD, Optimization, Nyarugusu Small Scale Mines
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