Agitated Tank Leaching

In global gold processing, agitated tank leaching (e.g. Carbon-in-Leach, Carbon-in-Pulp, stirred tank cyanidation circuits) is one of the workhorse methods for extracting gold from finely ground ores. Because these systems ensure good mass transfer, controlled conditions, and efficient contact between ore and leach solution, they are capable of high gold recoveries—often exceeding 90–95 % for amenable ores. Yet the reliance on sodium cyanide (or other cyanide salts) introduces safety, environmental, regulatory, and community acceptance challenges. As jurisdictions tighten restrictions or demand higher environmental standards, there is growing pressure on operators to find viable, lower-risk alternatives to cyanide.

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RZOLV™ is well positioned to compete in this segment by functioning as a non-cyanide reagent engineered for agitated system environments. In a stirred tank, RZOLV™ can deliver strong kinetics—rapid dissolution of gold, stable gold complex formation, and efficient recovery—while operating under conditions that do not permit the release of hydrogen cyanide or generate the same hazardous by-products as cyanidation. Because it is water-based and designed for closed-loop regeneration, RZOLV™ can be integrated into existing tank circuits (with adjustments to chemistry control, pH, redox potential, and carbon adsorption or electrowinning downstream). The result: substitution of cyanide’s function without the heavy burden of transitioning to entirely new processing platforms.

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The benefits of replacing cyanide in agitated systems with RZOLV™ include:

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• Non-Cyanide Chemistry: Eliminates cyanide and hydrogen-cyanide gas risks, reducing safety liabilities and simplifying compliance.

• High Gold Recovery: Demonstrates comparable or superior dissolution kinetics to cyanide under controlled pH and ORP conditions.

• Seamless Integration: Operates efficiently in existing CIL/CIP infrastructure with minimal modification to tanks, pumps, and recovery circuits.

• Electrochemical Regeneration: Reagent can be regenerated in-line, lowering operating costs and minimizing chemical consumption.

• Clean Tailings & Simplified Detox: Generates low-toxicity residues, removing the need for costly cyanide-destruction or detox systems.

• Improved ESG Performance: Enables sustainable, non-toxic gold production aligned with modern environmental and social standards.

• Global Market Opportunity: Targets a mature, high-value segment—~20% of world gold production—ready for cyanide-free transformation.

 

In terms of market size and scope, as much as 80 % of global gold production (or more) is still associated with cyanidation-based systems, many of them in agitated tank or carbon systems.  The global leaching tank market is also robust—these tanks are used extensively for cyanide, alkaline, and acid leaching processes across precious and base metals.

 

Because existing infrastructure is already present in many operations (thanks to decades of cyanide use), the opportunity for RZOLV™ lies in retrofitting or substituting cyanide reagents rather than building entirely new plant footprints. The potential addressable market is significant: any gold project using or considering a tank leach step (for oxidation leach, refractory ore treatment, or high-grade concentrate dissolution) is a candidate for conversion.

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Over time, as pressure mounts to reduce cyanide use or eliminate it entirely—whether from regulation, cost of compliance, or social license—RZOLV™ offers a credible path for operators to maintain high performance in agitated tank systems while transitioning away from hazardous reagents.