A review of cyanide destruction processes from laboratory and plant evaluations

In recent years mining companies have demonstrated increased focus on cyanide management specifically linked to ICMI compliance. Most mining companies are paying closer attention to environmental compliance, as ESG investing has become a key consideration for investors. Most of the time, the major issue processing plants face is the efficient cyanide detoxification of slurry tailings as well as solution streams that might be released to the environment.

The article examines the results of three distinct laboratory and on-site cyanide destruction test campaigns, which were conducted on both solution and slurry streams. The two cyanide destruction processes under consideration are Sulphur Dioxide (INCO) and Hydrogen peroxide. The study compares some of the test results to those of industrial detox plants, focusing on the effects of feed chemistry, reagent addition, process control philosophy, and whether the stream type (solution or slurry) has an impact.