Agglomerating Gold Ores At The Haile Gold Mine

The Haile Gold Mine was the largest gold producer east of the Mississippi River prior to 1942. It is currently the only producing gold mine in the Southeastern United States. Current development involves the mining and heap leaching of some 1000 TPD. Carbon is employed as a recovery medium. Due to its clayey nature and excessive fines in the oxide ore, agglomeration using Portland cement is required prior to leaching. The ore ranges in screen size from two inches to -200 mesh. The agglomerating step combined with certain other conditions has enabled Piedmont Mining Company to achieve recoveries of 90%.