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Supporting Mineral Extraction with VSA Oxygen Technology

Optimizing gold and silver leaching processes

Introduction

In modern gold and silver extraction, keeping a steady oxygen supply is vital for efficiency and profit. PCI Gases provides advanced oxygen generators for gold leaching, designed specifically for cyanide leaching applications. Using Vacuum Swing Adsorption (VSA) technology, these on-site systems deliver high-purity oxygen that boosts metal recovery, reduces operating costs, and supports sustainable mining operations.

Why Oxygen Matters in Leaching Circuits?

Using an oxygen generator for gold leaching gives mining operations a clear technical and economic edge. This is especially true for medium to large mines working with cyanide leaching or detoxification circuits. High-purity oxygen maintains the ideal dissolved oxygen levels that speed up leaching reactions and improve metal recovery.

In addition, replacing traditional oxidizing chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide or sodium peroxide with oxygen simplifies the process. It also cuts reagent use and lowers operating costs. As a result, mines can achieve better control, higher efficiency, and cleaner operations.

PCI Gases Solutions

From an operational perspective, on-site generation reduces reliance on delivered oxygen, which is often expensive and unreliable in remote areas. Technologies like PCI’s VSA oxygen generator for gold leaching use up to 50% less energy than conventional PSA systems. They also ensure stable and continuous oxygen production.

This self-sufficient setup guarantees a consistent supply and a lower total cost of ownership. Furthermore, it increases plant autonomy, process stability, and resilience against delivery disruptions or price changes.

Improving Efficiency and Sustainability

Environmentally, optimized oxygen dosing improves both performance and sustainability. Higher dissolved oxygen levels can shorten leaching times by up to 50%. They also help cut cyanide consumption and support more effective detoxification of water and tailings. Consequently, operations benefit from faster throughput, lower reagent use, and stronger environmental compliance.

By securing an on-demand oxygen source, mining plants can operate more safely and predictably. In summary, PCI’s oxygen generator for gold leaching combines operational excellence with sustainability—helping the gold and silver industry achieve cleaner, more efficient metal recovery.

VSA Technology

To produce oxygen from air, PCI uses a proprietary Vacuum Swing Adsorption (VSA) process that eliminates many of the design problems associated with traditional on-site gas separation systems (PSA). Our innovative VSA system eliminates the need for process valves, feed air compressors, associated dryers and feed air filtering systems. Our robust VSA oxygen process extracts maximum sieve and power efficiencies = low cost (both CapX and OpX) high purity oxygen generation. Oxygen produced is 93% purity. Additional product/systems features include load following, remote monitoring and diagnostics along with an industry only 10-year warranty on the adsorber bed vessel. Average life span of our systems is 10-15+ years.

About PCI Gases

PCI Gases, headquartered in Riverside, California, is a global leader in advanced on-site gas generation systems. Specializing in VSA technology for oxygen production, the company has been delivering innovative gas separation solutions since 1984. PCI Gases serves a wide range of industries, including medical, industrial, aquaculture, biogas, water treatment, and military applications.With a mission to empower industries by providing autonomy in oxygen and nitrogen supply, PCI Gases helps clients reduce costs and improve sustainability. Their vision is to decentralize gas supply, offering economical and environmentally responsible solutions worldwide. Through a commitment to innovation and operational efficiency, PCI Gases continues to reshape industries and enhance the total cost of ownership for their customers.

Reshape Your Tomorrow!

Let PCI Gases help you reshape your industrial processes—efficiently, reliably, and sustainably.


Contact our Sales Directors here:
https://www.pcigases.com/contact/


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Reshape Your Tomorrow with PCI Gases: Decentralized Oxygen and Nitrogen Supply Solutions

 

Posted October 16, 2025

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