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Review Cyanide and society: a critical review Chemical
replacements for cyanide have been investigated for decades; however cyanide remains the
exclusive lixiviant of choice in the mining industry due to a combination of its
availability, effectiveness, economics and ability to use it with acceptable risk to
humans and the environment. About 90% of the significant gold producing operations
worldwide currently utilize cyanide for gold and silver extraction. Despite the number of
cyanide-related mining operations, there have been no documented accounts during the
previous three decades of the death of humans due to cyanide as a direct consequence of
major mining-related environmental incidents. Major mining-related environmental incidents
have not been concentrated in any geographic location, may occur regardless of the size of
the company and do not occur more frequently with a specific type of mining activity. The
main aspects of cyanide management that should be addressed at mining operations include
transportation of cyanide to site, process solution conveyance, worker health and safety
training, water management and treatment, emergency response and preparedness, workplace
and environmental monitoring, and community relations. If these aspects of cyanide
management are integrated into an overall cyanide management plan, dramatic reductions in
risk and potential incidents at mine sites will be realized. |
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