Can Glycine-Leach Resolve Silver Locked in Antimony Minerals?

2025-08-18

Yes, glycine leaching has shown potential for extracting silver locked in antimony minerals, although its effectiveness depends on the specific mineralogical composition and process parameters. Glycine is an environmentally friendly and selective lixiviant that can dissolve certain metals, including silver, under alkaline conditions. However, the interaction with antimony minerals, such as stibnite (Sb₂S₃), and the recovery of silver associated with these minerals involve some complexities.

Key Factors to Consider:

1. Mineralogy:

   • Silver in antimony minerals is often present as inclusions, solid solutions, or in complex sulfide matrices. The ability of glycine to access and dissolve silver depends on the mineral’s structure and the degree of liberation during comminution.

2. Leaching Conditions:

   • Glycine works well in alkaline conditions, typically at a pH of 9–11.
   • Elevated temperatures (40–60°C) and the presence of oxidants (e.g., hydrogen peroxide or oxygen) can enhance silver dissolution.
   • The addition of oxidants might also help break down antimony sulfides, potentially exposing silver for leaching.

3. Challenges with Antimony:

   • Antimony minerals, especially stibnite, are relatively inert in alkaline glycine solutions.
   • Without an oxidizing agent, antimony may remain largely undissolved, potentially trapping silver.
   • Antimony can also interfere with downstream recovery processes if it dissolves in significant quantities.

4. Selective Dissolution:

   • Glycine’s ability to selectively dissolve silver while minimizing antimony dissolution depends on process optimization. The use of oxidants or a two-stage leaching process (e.g., oxidative pretreatment followed by glycine leaching) may improve recovery.

5. Environmental Benefits:

   • Glycine is non-toxic, biodegradable, and recyclable, offering an advantage over cyanide in silver extraction.

Possible Process Flow:

1. Comminution: Fine grinding to liberate silver from antimony minerals.
2. Oxidative Pretreatment: Use of oxidants to break down antimony sulfides and expose silver.
3. Glycine Leaching: Optimized leaching conditions tailored to target silver dissolution.
4. Recovery: Silver recovery via methods such as cementation or electrowinning.

Conclusion:

While glycine leaching can potentially resolve silver locked in antimony minerals, its success depends on mineralogy, pretreatment steps, and process conditions. Further research or pilot testing is often necessary to determine its feasibility for specific ores.

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