Exploration of the microscopic morphology and occurrence state of the Guizhou carlin-type gold ore

The occurrence state of gold and the symbiotic relationship of gold-bearing minerals are the key factors in determining the selectivity of gold ore. In this paper, we analyzed gold ore by XRF, XRD, SEM, EDS spectroscopy, optical microscopy, and actual gold leaching experiments by taking Guizhou carlin-type gold ore as the research object. The results showed that most of the gold in this gold ore was less than 1 μm in size and aggregated in clusters. Its main gold-bearing minerals were pyrite and arsenopyrite which were involved in a symbiotic relationship. The grain size of pyrite was mostly less than 20 μm, while that of poisonous sand was mostly more than 40 μm. The results could guide the optimization of this type of gold ore, mechanism research, and improve the extraction rate of gold in minerals.