CJK Milling Company's Innovative Approach to Gold Recovery
CJK Milling Company, LLC (CJK) is thrilled to announce a significant advancement in its extraction process—eliminating the use of cyanide. This decision was reached after hearing community concerns in Leadville and identifying a more sustainable solution. Gary Knippa, the owner of CJK, emphasized the importance of this shift, stating that the new non-toxic leaching technology from Extrakt represents an innovative alternative to traditional cyanide methods.
Environmental Responsibility and Advanced Technology
“We are excited to have our cyanide-free leach technology selected along with the TNS dewatering technology in a comprehensive system,” said William R. Florman, CEO of Extrakt. This new process offers operators a robust and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional cyanide leaching techniques. By implementing this eco-sensitive approach, CJK aims to significantly improve its operational capabilities in gold and silver recovery while minimizing environmental impact.
The Cutting-Edge System
The operation at the Leadville Mill is designed to process mine waste at an impressive rate of 400 tons per day. This waste will be transported to the facility using 20 cubic yard covered haul trucks, subsequently processed through a cone crusher and ball mill that produces a 90 mesh (150 micron) product. This finely ground material will then undergo leaching using Extrakt’s innovative technologies, leading to the recovery of precious metals and producing non-hazardous tailings stripped of harmful substances.
Strategic Alliances for Next-Generation Mining Solutions
Extrakt Process Solutions and Bechtel Energy Technologies & Solutions have formed a strategic global alliance aimed at commercializing Extrakt’s novel technologies. The TNS system addresses the persistent challenges of mine tailings, product recovery, and solid-liquid separation in an effective and sustainable way. By integrating advanced separation technologies, the alliance is set to revolutionize metal recovery in mining.
Benefits of the New Technology
The collaborative process flowsheet offers CJK numerous advantages, including:
- Enhanced recovery of precious metals
- Continuous operational capabilities
- Use of environmentally friendly leaching reagents
- Increased reliability in operations
- Robust process adaptable to various feed qualities
This comprehensive process enables improved recovery of both gold and silver from the leach solution, facilitating a seamless transition to solid-liquid separation that enhances the overall efficiency of the operation.
At the Forefront of Mining Innovation
Extrakt’s extensive testing revealed the effectiveness of its leaching technology across various tailing types. Notably, it demonstrated high recovery rates for gold and silver, essential for ensuring the economic viability of mining projects. The reduction of leaching time from the conventional 18 hours to just 6 hours with the new technology indicates a substantial increase in operational throughput.
Commitment to Sustainable Practices
The CJK mission focuses on repurposing legacy mining wastes, recognized as a significant source of metals across more than 60,000 sites in the United States. Understanding the environmental history of these sites, the Leadville Mill aims to revitalize them while recovering valuable minerals.
About CJK Milling Company
CJK is dedicated to transforming legacy mining waste into valuable resources. The company is progressing with the Leadville Mill project aimed at extracting metals safely and efficiently, ensuring that the surrounding environment is restored to its natural state. CJK is currently seeking permits to reprocess millions of tons of abandoned mine waste, employing modern techniques that mitigate potential contamination risks.
About Extrakt Process Solutions
Extrakt is at the forefront of mineral recovery technology, focusing on innovative separation methods that optimize precious metal extraction while ensuring minimal environmental impact. The company's continuous development of new processes enhances its reputation as a leader in sustainable mining solutions.
About Bechtel
Bechtel is recognized globally for its excellence in engineering and project management, impacting markets across various sectors, including mining and eco-friendly resource recovery. With more than a century of experience, Bechtel creates lasting positive impacts through successful project delivery strategies tailored to meet client objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the cyanide-free process?
The cyanide-free process represents an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional leaching methods, addressing community concerns and minimizing ecological impact.
How does the TNS technology improve metal recovery?
TNS technology enhances the separation of metals during the leaching process, increasing the efficiency of recovery while addressing the challenges of mine tailings.
What are the operational benefits of the new leaching technology?
The new technology offers reduced leaching times and improved recovery rates, which leads to increased operational throughput and cost savings.
How is CJK contributing to community revitalization?
CJK is focused on repurposing legacy mining waste, transforming these sites into valuable resources while restoring the environment, and gaining community support.
What role does Bechtel play in this partnership?
Bechtel provides its expertise in engineering and project management to ensure the successful implementation and commercialization of the innovative technologies developed by Extrakt.
