Glossary of Mining Terms

 

    
 

                                                                                                                                        

Cyanide / Cyanidation

 

Cyanide is an excellent medium for removing gold from the ore. 

 

Gold naturally dissolves into cyanide-like sugar in hot water and has become the primary

method used, especially for low grade gold producers.

 

The MacArthur-Forrest Process (est. 1887) pioneered the the use of cyanide, which has

largely replaced the amalgamation process using mercury. 

 

Cyanide is a very toxic chemical and mining companies take great care in its use and

recycle cyanide within their processing plant. 

 

Cyanide can be devastating to the local environment when leaked into streams and rivers.

Responsible mining companies therefore take the issue of cyanide very seriously.

 

 

  
   
   

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