Merrill-Crowe process

The Merrill-Crowe Process is a separation technique for removing gold from a cyanide solution.

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The solution is separated from the ore by methods such as filtration and counter current decantation (CCD), and then the gold is cemented by adding zinc dust, which precipitates the gold: zinc has a higher affinity for the cyanide ion than gold.

Silver and copper may also precipitate. The precipitate is further refined, e.g., by smelting, to remove the zinc and by treating with nitric acid to dissolve the silver.

The basic process was discovered and patented by Charles Washington Merrill around 1900, then later refined by Thomas B. Crowe, working for the Merrill Company.

In more recent years the EMEW technology has started to replace this process through the use of electrowinning

See also

• Other Gold cyanidation techniques:
  • Carbon in pulp
  • Electrowinning
  • Resin in pulp