When Conventional Methods Fall Short
Standard cyanide leaching and gravity concentration work well for free-milling ores where gold particles sit on mineral surfaces. However, refractory ores — where gold is locked inside sulphide lattices, silica matrices, or carbonaceous material — resist these methods. Recovery rates can drop below 50 %.
Caluanie Muelear Oxidize (CMO) offers a chemical pre-treatment pathway that disrupts host-rock bonding, liberating encapsulated gold and making it accessible to downstream recovery circuits.
Understanding the Oxidative Mechanism
CMO is a heavy-water-based oxidative agent that attacks silicon–oxygen and metal–sulphide bonds under ambient conditions. When applied to crushed ore, it penetrates micro-fractures and initiates bond cleavage from within. The result is a chemically “softened” ore matrix that releases gold particles during subsequent washing or gravity separation stages.
This mechanism is particularly effective against:
- Refractory sulphide ores (pyrite, arsenopyrite encapsulation)
- Fine-grained gold trapped in quartz micro-inclusions
- Carbonaceous preg-robbing ores that adsorb dissolved gold in leach circuits
Step-by-Step Process
1. Ore Characterisation
Before applying CMO, analyse your ore to determine gold grade, mineralogy, and the degree of encapsulation. Metallurgical test work on a representative sample establishes the baseline recovery rate you are trying to improve.
2. Size Reduction
Crush and grind the ore to a target P80 of approximately 2 mm. Excessive grinding wastes energy and can create ultra-fine material that is difficult to handle; insufficient grinding limits CMO penetration.
3. Solution Preparation
Dilute Caluanie Muelear Oxidize according to the CHEMICAL ELEMENTS-recommended concentration chart for your ore class. Solution temperature should be maintained between 20 °C and 35 °C for optimal reactivity.
4. Contact and Reaction
Apply the prepared solution to the ore charge in agitated tanks or heap-leach pads. Contact time varies by ore hardness:
| Ore Type | Typical Contact Time |
|---|---|
| Soft laterite | 2 – 4 hours |
| Medium sulphide | 6 – 12 hours |
| Hard siliceous | 18 – 24 hours |
Maintain gentle mechanical agitation in tank applications to refresh the solution–ore interface.
5. Washing and Recovery
After the reaction period, wash the treated ore to remove spent CMO solution. The liberated gold can then be recovered through:
- Gravity concentration (shaking tables, spirals)
- Mercury amalgamation using CHEMICAL ELEMENTS Red Mercury
- Conventional cyanidation if preferred
6. Solution Management
Spent CMO solution should be collected, neutralised according to the MSDS guidelines, and disposed of through a licensed waste handler. CHEMICAL ELEMENTS can provide guidance on recycling options for large-scale operations.
Safety Considerations
- Always wear chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles, and a face shield when handling CMO
- Work in well-ventilated areas or under local exhaust ventilation
- Store containers upright in a cool, shaded area away from incompatible materials
- Refer to the full MSDS document available for download on our Products page
Order Caluanie from CHEMICAL ELEMENTS
Caluanie Muelear Oxidize is supplied in UN-rated HDPE canisters: 5 L, 10 L, 15 L, and 20 L. Contact info@chemicaleleements.com for pricing and lead times.