2018-04 - GOLD REFINING SOLUTION

OVERVIEW OF REQUIREMENTS
The Royal Canadian Mint is requesting proposals for a commercialized solution for gold refining process that would:
 

• Increase the gold alloy content by a minimum of 15% of the typical feedstock alloy during process treatment. 
• Typical feedstock gold alloy initial content has an average purity of 70% Gold (batch purity range varying from 20% to 99.5%).  
• Other than gold content, feedstock contains various level of Silver (Ag) and Copper (Cu).  It may also contain various level of elements such as Pb, Zn, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Se, Hg, Pd, Pt, Rh, Ir, In, Ru, Mg, Mn, Fe, Ni, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Te, Ti.
• Eliminate or reduce consumption to the minimum practical extend of strong acids or alkali chemical products thus minimizing the environmental negative impact.
• Less than 0.5 kg of slag produced for each kg of typical gold alloy feedstock treated.
• The solution will result in near zero precious metal loss. 

• Treat no less than 500 kgs (16,000 troy ounces) of gold alloy feedstock per 24 hrs period, and sustain an annual capacity of 5 million troy ounces.
• Consume less than 0.05 kg of chlorine gas for each kg of typical gold alloy feedstock treated.
• Operate within a 40m² footprint with a 2.8m height restriction.
• Already being used in a production environment demonstrating efficiency and reliability of the process.