Ana Maria Espinoza-Martinez

Prof. Ana Maria Espinoza-Martinez


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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28 November 2025 in Minerals
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AEAna Maria Espinoza-Martinez
Ana Maria Espinoza-Martinez
JVJesus L Valenzuela
Jesus L Valenzuela
María Mercedes Salazar-CampoyMaría Mercedes Salazar-Campoy
María Mercedes Salazar-Campoy
MEMartin Antonio Encinas-Romero
Martin Antonio Encinas-Romero
GBGuadalupe Martinez Ballesteros
Guadalupe Martinez Ballesteros
JTJOSE PARGA TORRES
JOSE PARGA TORRES
Refractory gold and silver ores present significant challenges because precious metals are encapsulated within sulfide matrices, severely limiting extraction by conventional cyanidation. In this study, a pyritic concentrate from the Bacis Mine (Durango, Mexico) was characterized and subjected to two oxidative pretreatments—roasting and alkaline pressure oxidation—before cyanidation. X-ray diffraction confirmed pyrite to be the dominant phase, with quartz and minor carbonates contributing to the material’s refractory character. Roasting at 550 °C achieved gold and silver extraction of 80% and 70%, respectively, which improved to 89% Au and 74% Ag with the addition of hydrogen peroxide. In contrast, alkaline pressure oxidation at 150 °C and 1 MPa O2 yielded the highest extraction of 92% for Au and 76% for Ag at 1 h. Thermodynamic analysis using the Fe–S Pourbaix diagram at 80 °C supported these experimental results, showing the destabilization of FeS2 under oxidizing and moderately alkaline conditions. Overall, this study demonstrates that alkaline pressure oxidation is a technically efficient and environmentally favorable pretreatment for refractory gold ores.