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Separation of copper from gold mixture

Q. Dear...

I am a student in University of Sulaimany in Iraq. I have a question: please show me a way for "separation copper from gold" and I mixed gold with copper. I want to separate the two metals by any chemical methods. Please help me, thank you.

Aras Hass
student - Sulaimany, Alikamal, Iraq
2004

A. One of the metals will dissolve in 50% nitric acid, whilst the other will not. When you have collected and thoroughly washed the metal that will not dissolve, you may send it to me.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2004

A. Hi Aras,

As Trevor points out, use nitric ... but don't, DON'T send the residue to him ... send it me. He is still working and I'm retired and need some glitter in life.

Freeman Newton [deceased]
(It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).
2004

OK Freeman, lets split the spoils.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2004

Q. I separated gold from gold+copper mixture and finally I am having a solution of copper nitrate [affil links] and now I wish to separate the copper from the solution.

I don't know the separation process for separating copper from copper nitrate. Please guide me in this aspect.

Prabahar Natarajan
Student - India
March 9, 2008

? Well I am not sure my self actually sorry :-(
But if I did know I would tell you.

Matt Close
- Lee on Solent, Gosport, UK
November 29, 2011

A. You may precipitate the copper out of the copper sulphate [on eBay or Amazon]solution by inserting a metal that is more reactive than copper, such as magnesium or iron. Copper metal will precipitate, but the magnesium/iron will dissolve and you will ultimately be left with a solution of magnesium or iron sulphate. This is known as cementation. An alternative commercial method consists of solvent extraction and electrowinning, i.e., electrolysis.

Renier van Rensburg
MaxComm - Somerset West
August 15, 2016

A. I hear nitric acid will drop copper

Tom Hunt
- Salem Oregon, USA
June 28, 2017

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