IXOS® Gold Extraction
Revolutionary
Meet IXOS®. A revolutionary precious metal processing system designed for the mining industry. IXOS® is a patented nanotechnology using Molecular Imprinted Polymers (MIPS) that results in a rugged polymer for adsorption of gold and silver from leach solutions. IXOS® is faster, cleaner and a more cost-effective method than traditional activated carbon processing. Because IXOS® has a higher affinity for gold and silver than activated carbon, and it is made from a robust polymer that does not break down during normal use, IXOS® also provides a higher yield of gold and silver than conventional activated carbon.
IXOS® delivers on the promises of polymers, or resins, that ion-exchange resins have yet to realize. While grounded in the same principles of ion-exchange the MIP architecture enhances the selectivity and performance of the polymer by creating homogenious receptor sites keyed to the molecular shape and charge complex of the gold and silver ions in the leach solution. IXOS® has high re-use capability, high selectivity which results in stable capacity for gold and silver in the presence of changing background levels of base metals, and does not “poison” or hold onto base metals. The elution process for IXOS® is quick, and results in over 99% release of adsorbed metals and is performed at low temperature (60C) and does not require a pressure vesicle. The eluent is reusable - reducing mine waste.
The New Standard
IXOS® is poised to revolutionize the traditional gold-processing method that has been used for the last century. Gold extraction using activated carbon has short comings as it’s not exclusive to the gold and silver in the leach solution. Activated carbon attracts other metals including copper, mercury and other base metals which can effect the gold and silver loading among other drawbacks in elution or stripping which requires high temperature, high pressure, and is often incomplete (leaves gold and silver on the activated carbon as unrecovered). Activated carbon also requires a regeneration step which further adds to cost and energy usage. IXOS® provides a significant reduction in energy usage and reagent usage providing a significant reduction in CO2 emissions for this stage of the mining circuit.
For gold mines, IXOS® replaces the active carbon process for gold extraction:
Higher adsorption efficiency=less lost to tailing or more poured gold per cycle
IXOS® is a clean extraction process that yields purer end product
High Gold capacity (about 25g/kg, 10x more than carbon)
High selectivity (>97%, vs. about 40% for carbon)
Easy to recover the gold (carbon needs heat, pressure, and chemicals)
Clean processing with Fewer waste products, Lower carbon footprints & Less water used
$150 USD/Oz Savings (Based on Pilot Scale Test Results for multiple mines)
IXOS® vs. Activated Carbon
A Better Solution
Activated carbon has been the media of choice for the gold sector for over a century. While activated carbon is the current standard, it suffers from a number of shortcomings. Its selectivity for gold is not exclusive. It attracts other metals from the pregnant leach solution in addition to gold, including copper, mercury, and other base metals, which reduces its capacity to capture gold. Activated carbon also suffers from mechanical breakdown over time, with the result that some gold captured by the product becomes unrecoverable. As a result of this and other inefficiencies associated with activated carbon, up to 5 to 10% of gold contained in a cyanide leach solution routinely remains in the solution and is not recovered by activated carbon during the process. Breakdown of activated carbon also results in carbon fines, small particles that range in size from dust to 0.7mm, that are not captured by screens and are therefore lost to the overall process.
IXOS® has been demonstrated to capture up to 99% of gold from cyanide leach solutions in laboratory and mine site testing where the data was analyzed by the mine operator, representing a material increase relative to activated carbon, which recovers between 85% and 95% of the gold, as reported by potential mining customers of IXOS®. Additionally, the increased selectivity of IXOS® results in the capture of fewer other competitive base metals. Testing at multiple mine sites has shown more than 90% gold purity captured on IXOS®, as opposed to 40%-70% for those generated by activated carbon, resulting in efficiencies in the refining process used to generate higher purities of gold.
IXOS® Advantages
Better performance
Higher gold capture
Lower to no attrition or lost Au from attrition
Better kinetics
Lower CAPEX
High capacity and purity resulting in smaller plant
Less complicated circuit with fewer parts
Significantly lower OPEX
Simple low temperature elution
NO REGENERATION
Eco friendly OPEX savings
Lower water usage
Recyclable elution chemicals
Lower power requirements
No toxic airborne emissions
Case Study
“IXOS provides significant measurable monetary benefits to the gold mine by reducing costs and increasing yield. Efficiencies like reduced energy requirements are prescient given current events where energy costs are poised to strip contributions to the bottom line that might otherwise be realized by higher precious metal prices. We look forward to the continued work with this client to move toward adoption.”
Halifax, Nova Scotia/ Vancouver, BC – (March 15, 2022) We are is pleased to announce that contracted test work using IXOS® purification polymer (“IXOS®”) successfully resulted in superb gold adsorption efficiency and recovery of >98.6% in direct comparison to 83% adsorption efficiency and recovery with activated carbon (AC). Test results were confirmed by independent laboratory analysis.
AMS and client mine personnel performed adsorption tests using solution from heap leach columns installed at the site’s metallurgical testing facilities. Continuous solution flow testing validated IXOS® performance previously achieved in the Compnay’s laboratory in Salt Lake City, Utah using the ore provided by the client. The results provide the client with positive and relevant data regarding the cost/benefit of IXOS® compared to activated carbon.
IXOS® is a superior replacement for activated carbon used in the gold mining industry. Multiple laboratory and field tests with major mining companies demonstrate the benefits of IXOS’® compared to activated carbon.
On-site testing comparison: Increased Revenue Potential with Reduced Cost
Higher efficiency gold absorbance and recovery increase daily gold production
High strength IXOS beads eliminate lost gold experienced from carbon fines
IXOS strip time: ~2 hours at ~100% efficiency vs AC strip and regenerate time >16 hrs while leaving upwards of 3oz/gold per ton of AC.
Accelerated strip cycles increase daily gold production
Multiple strip cycles per day allow significantly reduced plant size CAPEX and OPEX
Reduced costs for energy, fuel, and reagents
Eluent is fully reusable and operates in a closed-loop system reducing waste and water.
IXOS does NOT require thermal regeneration reducing cycle time for the adsorbent and eliminating power requirements.
Additional ‘Carbon credits’ for reducing carbon emissions
Capex and Opex savings coupled with reduced CO2 emissions (carbon credits) and the potential for water stress mitigation offer compelling reasons for adoption that may enhance a mine’s ESG posture and rating.