Inventors:
Jacques McMullen - Toronto, CA
Wilson Tsu - Elko NV
Reinhard Kargel - Toronto, CA
Assignee:
Barrick Gold Corporation - Ontario
International Classification:
C02F 158
Abstract:
A process for reducing boron and/or fluoride ion content of water. Feed water is contacted, in the presence of magnesium, with an alkaline hydroxide to produce treated water and a magnesium precipitate containing boron and fluorine. The precipitate is separated from the treated water. The boron content of water is reducible from above about 0. 8 mg/L to below about 0. 7 mg/L, and the fluoride ion content is reducible from above about 1 mg/L to below about 0. 9 mg/L. The magnesium precipitate is optionally used to neutralize pressure oxidized ore slurry or roaster calcine in the context of gold recovery operations.