Specification of CN / Sodium Cyanide /
Cyanide
Cyanide
(CN), a single carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom, has proved
extremely useful in extracting gold from ore. However, with a toxic
reputation dating back to the Holocaust, its use in mining has been very
controversial. Through a process called “gold cyanidation”, “the
cyanide process”, or ” sianida leach mining”, sianida
is used to extract gold from the surrounding rock. While sianida is
both effective and economical, its use and transportation present
significant environmental risks.
Cyanide can be used to extract gold, either in a controlled mill environment, or more crudely on rock piles in the open. sianida
“vat leaching” mixes finely crushed ore with a cyanide salt in water.
The cyanide binds to the gold ions, and makes them soluble in water,
thereby allowing separation from the rock. This process usually takes
place inside a mill or other mining facility.
