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THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF GOLD EXTRACTION BY THE CYANIDE PROCESS

Lidia Cristea

First published: 2011-06-20https://doi.org/10.5593/sgem2011/s22.135View metrics

Abstract

Gold is a precious metal extracted and used since ancient times. The present paper analyzes the properties and characteristics of gold in terms of physical-mechanical properties and the process of its extraction from ore. After extraction of tons of low grade gol d ore using sodium cyanide (NaCN) are obtained two grams of gold and there are left mining waste dumps containing 25-50% gold. The technological process of cyanide not only shows a low efficiency of extraction, but it also brings great risks in terms of environmental impacts such as inadequate transportation and storage of sodium cyanide, failure of dams and pipe leaks. Mud and water from the process shows the risk of severe pollution by toxic heavy metal content extracted from ore that can not be neutral. There are also examined national and European legal norms to see if technology can ensure reliability and eliminate waste from the industrial process in accordance with European practices.

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Publication details

Title
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF GOLD EXTRACTION BY THE CYANIDE PROCESS
Authors
Lidia Cristea
Proceedings
SGEM International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference EXPO Proceedings; SGEM2011 11th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference
Publisher
Stef92 Technology
Year
2011
Pages
Not available yet
ISSN
1314-2704
ISBN
Not available yet
Language
en
Publication type
Conference Paper
References4

  1. Haiduc I., Ragalie S. - Economic considerations regarding the risks and investment opportunity in Rosia Montana - Academi ca, no.26, May 2010, Bucharest, Romania

  2. Lidia Cristea, Dana Debu, Mariana Mocanu – CUMEN 2011 – Iasi, February 16- 18, 2011, Romania

  3. M. Ienciu - Non-ferrous alloy preparation and casting – Pedagogica, Bucharest, 1982, Romania

  4. I. Lazarescu, V. Barna – The gold and the silver – Crisana, Oradea, 1972, Romania

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