Silanol-rich ordered mesoporous silica modified thiol group for enhanced recovery performance of Au(III) in acidic leachate solution

•Silanol-rich oredered mesoporous silicas (OMSs) are syntheiszed by mine tailings and solvent extraction.•Surface silanol surface improved thiol loading and dispersion inside the pores.•Au(III) recovery properties of silanol-rich thiol-OMSs are tested in acidic leachate solution.•Silanol-rich thiol-OMSs exhibits high Au(III) recovery performance and long-term stability.