Gold Ore - 7 Types and Extraction Methods

23/09/2025

Summary：In this article, we will discuss the eight most common types of gold ore and their properties, as well as the ways to process them

Gold ore is a type of ore that contains gold mineralization in its composition. It is a valuable and sought-after metal due to its rarity and beauty, as well as its industrial and economic applications. The gold content in ore varies widely, from a few grams to several ounces per ton. Different types of gold ore have different physical and chemical properties, which affect the mining, processing, and refining methods used to extract the gold.

In this article, we will discuss the eight most common types of gold ore and their properties, as well as the ways to process them.

7 Types Of Gold Ore

1. Free-milling Gold Ore

Free-milling gold ore is the most common type of gold ore, which is often found in open-pit mines. It is characterized by the presence of visible gold particles that are easily liberated from the surrounding rock by crushing and grinding. The gold particles are usually small, ranging in size from a few microns to a few millimeters.

The processing of free-milling gold ore involves crushing the ore to a fine powder, which is then mixed with water to form a slurry. The slurry is then passed over a series of gravity separation devices, such as sluices, jigs, or shaking tables, which concentrate the gold particles by exploiting their different densities. The resulting concentrate is then smelted to produce gold bullion.

2. Iron Oxide-copper-gold Ore

Iron oxide-copper-gold ore is a type of ore that is often associated with large-scale, low-grade deposits. It is characterized by the presence of iron oxide minerals, such as magnetite or hematite, as well as copper and gold minerals. It is often found in iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) deposits, which are associated with intrusive rocks.

The processing of iron oxide-copper-gold ore involves crushing the ore to a fine powder, which is then mixed with water to form a slurry. The slurry is then subjected to magnetic separation, which separates the iron oxide minerals from the copper and gold minerals. The resulting concentrate is then subjected to flotation, which separates the copper and gold minerals from the other minerals in the ore. The resulting concentrate is then smelted to produce copper and gold bullion.

3. Refractory gold ore

Refractory gold ore is a type of ore that contains gold that is difficult to extract using conventional methods. It is often associated with sulfide minerals, such as pyrite, arsenopyrite, or stibnite, which can encapsulate the gold particles and prevent them from being liberated by conventional crushing and grinding methods.

The processing of refractory gold ore involves a combination of physical and chemical methods. First, the ore is subjected to pre-treatment, which involves roasting, pressure oxidation, or bio-oxidation to break down the sulfide minerals and liberate the gold particles. The resulting ore is then subjected to conventional cyanide leaching or alternative methods, such as thiosulfate leaching, which can dissolve the gold particles and make them available for recovery.

4. Carbonaceous gold ore

Carbonaceous gold ore is a type of ore that contains organic carbon, such as graphite or bituminous materials, that can adsorb gold particles and make them difficult to recover by conventional methods. It is often associated with sedimentary rocks or coal seams.

The processing of carbonaceous gold ore involves pre-treatment to remove the organic carbon by roasting or autoclaving, followed by cyanide leaching to dissolve the gold particles. Alternatively, alternative lixiviants, such as thiosulfate, iodine, or bromine, can be used to dissolve the gold particles.

5. Orogenic gold ore

Orogenic gold ore is a type of gold ore that is formed by the deformation and metamorphism of pre-existing rocks, such as sedimentary rocks or volcanic rocks. It is often associated with quartz veins or shear zones.

The processing of orogenic gold ore involves crushing the ore to a fine powder, which is then mixed with water to form a slurry. The slurry is then passed over a series of gravity separation devices, such as sluices, jigs, or shaking tables, which concentrate the gold particles by exploiting their different densities. The resulting concentrate is then smelted to produce gold bullion.

6. Epithermal gold ore

Epithermal gold ore is a type of gold ore that is formed near the surface of the Earth by the action of hot fluids. It is often associated with volcanic rocks or geothermal systems.

The processing of epithermal gold ore involves crushing the ore to a fine powder, which is then mixed with water to form a slurry. The slurry is then subjected to gravity separation or flotation to concentrate the gold particles. The resulting concentrate is then smelted to produce gold bullion.

7. Porphyry gold-copper ore

Porphyry gold-copper ore is a type of ore that is often associated with large-scale, low-grade deposits. It is characterized by the presence of copper minerals, such as chalcopyrite, bornite, or chalcocite, as well as gold minerals, such as pyrite or native gold. It is often found in porphyry copper deposits, which are associated with intrusive rocks.

The processing of porphyry gold-copper ore involves crushing the ore to a fine powder, which is then mixed with water to form a slurry. The slurry is then subjected to froth flotation, which separates the copper and gold minerals from the other minerals in the ore. The resulting concentrate is then smelted to produce copper and gold bullion.

8 Gold Extraction Methods You Need To Know

Extraction methods for gold ores depend on the type of 

<<Previous: Liming Heavy Industry Will Showcase its latest Mining Solutions at Minepro 2025 >>Next: Null