Lixiviant Explained

A lixiviant is a chemical used in hydrometallurgy to extract elements from its ore.^[1] One of the most famous lixiviants is cyanide, which is used in extracting 90% of mined gold. The combination of cyanide and air converts gold particles into a soluble salt. Once separated from the bulk gangue, the solution is processed in a series of steps to give the metal.^[2]

Etymology

The origin is the word 'lixiviate', meaning to leach or to dissolve out, deriving from the Latin lixivium.^[3] A lixiviant assists in rapid and complete leaching, for example during in situ leaching. The metal can be recovered from it in a concentrated form after leaching.

Further reading

• Web site: In Situ Leach (ISL) Mining of Uranium. Laughlin. Robert B.. June 2009. Introduction to the Physics of Energy PH240 - Fall 2010. Stanford University. 2024-02-03.

Notes and References

1. Book: Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, Volume 49. American Institute of Mining Engineers. American Institute of Mining Engineers. 1917. The Institute. Princeton University. 617.
2. Book: 10.1002/14356007.a12_499. Gold, Gold Alloys, and Gold Compounds . Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry . 2000 . Renner . Hermann . Schlamp . Günther . Hollmann . Dieter . Lüschow . Hans Martin . Tews . Peter . Rothaut . Josef . Dermann . Klaus . Knödler . Alfons . Hecht . Christian . Schlott . Martin . Drieselmann . Ralf . Peter . Catrin . Schiele . Rainer . 3527306730 .
3. The New English Dictionary