Possible reaction mechanisms for ozone oxidation of cyanide from waste waters resulted from gold- and silver-bearing ores' cyanidation.

Ozone decomposition in aqueous solutions may be accelerated by concatenated radical-type reactions, which are promoted or inhibited by some water contaminants. Laboratory studies were made on the ozonisation of spent leach liquor from precious metals cyanidation. The spent leach solution was then recycled back into the cyanidation process. Sodium cyanide and lime consumption and gold and silver recoveries are compared for ozonised and unozonised spent leach.
Ozone decomposition in aqueous solutions may be accelerated by concatenated radical-type reactions, which are promoted or inhibited by some water contaminants. Laboratory studies were made on the ozonisation of spent leach liquor from precious metals cyanidation. The spent leach solution was then recycled back into the cyanidation process. Sodium cyanide and lime consumption and gold and silver recoveries are compared for ozonised and unozonised spent leach.