| Pyrite is the main host mineral of gold, and gold in pyrite is far from well distributed. Gold contents in pyrite may vary as highly as ten times. As far as a gold deposit is concerned, generally the finely grained, more heavily crushed pyrite has a higher gold content. As an individual pyrite is concerned, differently shapped crystals of pyrite show different gold contents that vary in a wide range. It is mainly in the form of natural gold particles that gold is present in pyrite. Depending on the texture and structure of the host mineral, gold in pyrite may be sheet, vein and irregulaly shapped. Around the visible gold and microscopic gold particles submicroscopic gold can usually be found under a SEM. In order to increase the recovery of gold, special attention should be paid to the utilization and recovery of gold in finely grainded pyrite. |