The Application of Polymer Inclusion Membranes for the Removal of Thiocyanate and Cyanide from Gold Ore Processing Wastewaters

斯塔威尔金矿在磨矿过程中使用无氰化物和无硫氰酸盐的水，可提高金的回收率。本研究的目的是开发一种新的分离技术来去除矿山废水中的这两种离子，使其能够循环使用。新型聚合物材料，称为聚合物包涵膜(PIM)，以前从未在工业分离中使用过，将是这项技术的核心。除了提高黄金回收率外，这项技术预计还将大幅减少澳大利亚黄金采矿业对淡水的依赖。本研究还将促进基于PIM的分离技术成为一种可行的工业分离技术，适用于其他领域。

The recovery of gold at Stawell Gold Mine can be improved by using cyanide and thiocyanate free water in the milling process. The aim of this research is the development of a novel separation technology for the removal of these two ions from mine wastewater to allow it to be recycled. Novel polymeric materials, known as polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs), which have never been used before in industrial separation, will be at the centre of this technology. In addition to increasing gold recovery, this technology is expected to reduce substantially the reliance of the Australian goldmining industry on fresh water. This research will also promote PIM based separation as a viable industrial separation technology, applicable in other areas.