NahGOLD - Sustainable and innovative extraction of GOLD and strategic metals from polymetallic ores

The NahGOLD project is developing innovative and sustainable processes for extracting gold and strategic metals from polymetallic ores in Europe. The aim is to use raw materials in a resource-efficient manner and consistently implement the principles of the circular economy.

Besides gold, polymetallic gold ores host a range of valuable by-product metals, including zinc, bismuth, tellurium, and selenium. However, the elevated zinc content has historically posed a significant technical challenge. NahGOLD is overcoming this hurdle through innovative processing and advanced metallurgical technologies that enable the selective separation and efficient recovery of zinc alongside gold and other critical metals.

The processes developed will be tested on a pilot scale (TRL 6-7) and demonstrated using European deposits. The project aims to strengthen gold production within the EU, make critical raw materials available, and reduce dependence on imports.

HIF research focus

• Mineralogical and chemical characterization of raw materials
• Pneumatic flotation for extracting gold and zinc in laboratory to pilot scale
• Pyrometallurgical processing to marketable gold and zinc phases on a pilot scale
• Life cycle and cost analysis of the process

Overview