Dr Xianwen Dai undertook bench scale continuous testing to validate the integrated enhanced gold and cyanide recovery process. Credit: CSIRO
Widely used in gold extraction for its ease of use and selectivity when combining with gold, traditional cyanide-based extractions pose substantial environmental and public health impacts due to its highly toxic nature. With recent geopolitical instability driving gold purchasing to unprecedented highs, the need for a greener extraction method has never been higher.
Since the 1970’s, cyanide spills are responsible for numerous fish kills, agricultural land damage, and drinking water contamination around the world. To hopefully prevent future harm, researchers from CSIRO have recently patented a new technology which offers a more sustainable, and profitable, gold extraction. Described in a recent publication on their site, Sustainable Gold Cyanidation Technology improves recovery while recycling the toxic cyanide.
"Our process surpasses the commonly practiced cyanide destruction technology and we are now ready for pilot scale demonstration in the field," said Dr. Xianwen Dai.
"This technology enables the recovery of cyanide and other toxic compounds, some base metals and valuable soluble gold that typically remains unrecovered in cyanidation tailings," Dr. Dai added. "At the same time, it reduces environmental risks and costs linked to cyanide use, transport, tailings storage, and potential dam failures."
The team behind the new tech are excited about the sustainability improvements offered and after a successful month-long lab scale pilot, are ready to begin scaling the technique.
"The technology can deliver much greater economic and environmental benefits beyond what is possible with current cyanide recovery and recycling technologies," concluded Dr. Paul Breuer.
"With sufficient interest we will be able to progress to pilot and demonstration in the field, which will hopefully lead to improved gold yields, environmental outcomes and sustainability for the gold industry."