CYANIDE TRAINING
Proper care and handling of sodium-carbon-nitrogen
compounds
XXXX Gold Mining Company
CYANIDE TRAINING
Why the need for this Training?
• MSHA Safety & Health Training.
• To comply with the International Cyanide
Management Code.
• To Comply with the XXXX Cyanide Policy
What is
Cyanide?
• Chemical Name :
Sodium Cyanide
• Chemical Symbol:
NaCN
• “Better” Chemical Name:
Sodium Carbon Nitrogen
CYANIDE SAFETY
USES
 The use of cyanide for the extraction of gold is
only one of the many industrial uses of cyanide,
accounting for less than 20% of worldwide
hydrogen cyanide production. The remaining 80%
is used in a variety of processes including the
production of plastics (such as acrylics and nylon)
and pharmaceuticals (ibuprofen and naproxen),
processing of food (decaffeination of coffee and as
an anti-caking additive in table salt), and for
electroplating and hardening of steel.
Process Description
1. NaCN & NaOH (sodium
hydroxide) are added to Barren
Solution in ADR Plant.
2. Barren Solution is pumped
to the Leach Pad.
3. Barren Solution Extracts
Gold from Leach Pad
Becoming Pregnant Solution.
LEACH
PAD
Preg Solution
4. Preg Solution is Collected from
Leach Pad and Pumped Back to
ADR Plant were the Gold is
PREG
Removed, with other metals.
PUMPS
Barren
Solution
ADR
PLANT
Cyanide Safety
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Potential Areas for Exposure
Fast Acting Poison
Routes of Entry
HCN Exposure Limits
Symptoms of Cyanide
Poisoning
 First Aid Procedures
Cyanide Safety
Potential Areas for Exposure
ADR Plant
Lab
Leach Pad
Cyanide Safety
Personal
Protective
Equipment
What is required?
– Full PPE to Mix
NaCN or perform
maintenance work
in NaCN storage
areas.
– Safety Glasses In
All Areas.
- No Acids Near
Cyanide.
Cyanide Safety
 Fast Acting Poison - if Exposure is
to high levels - usually as HCN
– Cyanide Prevents Cellular Respiration.
Mainly in the Brain & Heart!
– HCN Gas, Cyanide Dust or Solution are all
Dangerous.
– Cyanide poisoning is recoverable if
treatment is administered quickly.
Normally in 3-4 minutes! Therefore,
responders must work quickly!
Cyanide Safety
 Routes of Entry
– Skin
– Eyes
– Ingestion
– Inhalation
NO EATING, DRINKING, OR SMOKING AROUND
CYANIDE WORKING AREAS!!
Cyanide Safety
Barren Solution Characteristics
• pH = >10.0
• NaCN Concentration = 0.200 lb/ton
• Lethal Ingested Dosages at this Concentration*:
– 150 pound person = 2.5 gallons
– 200 pound person = 3.5 gallons
– 250 pound person = 4.5 gallons
* Numbers are based off of LD50 of 15 mg/kg in Rats.
Cyanide Safety
HCN
Production
• The Higher the pH of the
Solution the Less HCN
Produced.
• DO NOT Mix Acid
and Cyanide!!!
Cyanide Safety
 HCN Exposure
–Current Limits
 10 ppm on an 8 hour
TWA
 5 ppm on a 12 hour TWA
–New Guidance for
PPE
 4.7 ppm Maximum*
*
Recommended by the ACGIH (American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists)
but not yet approved. Suggested in International
Code.
Cyanide Safety
 HCN Exposure
– Effects
 2-5 ppm Odor threshold
 4.7 ppm Maximum Exposure
 20-40 ppm Slight symptoms after
several hours
 45-54 ppm Tolerated for ½ to 1 hour
without significant immediate or delayed
effects
 100-200 ppm Fatal within ½ to 1 hour
 300 ppm Rapidly fatal (if no treatment)
Cyanide Safety
Symptoms of Cyanide Poisoning
–Early Symptoms
•Reddening of the eyes/skin
•Nausea
•Headache
–Delayed Symptoms
•Irritation of the throat
•Salivation
•Giddiness
•Weakness of the arms and legs
•Difficulty breathing
•Palpitations
•Numbness
•Convulsions
•Collapse
Cyanide Safety
First Aid Procedures
– Sound Alarm. Protect Self with PPE. Remove victim
from contamination, also remove contaminated clothing from
the victim. Be careful of cross contamination!
– If no symptoms are evident:
• No treatment is necessary. Just watch for symptoms to
develop.
– If Conscious but symptoms are evident:
• Give Oxygen.
– If Consciousness is impaired or the victim is unconscious:
• Give Oxygen and Amyl Nitrite
– If not breathing:
• Give Oxygen and Amyl Nitrite immediately by means of
a positive pressure respirator (artificial respiration).
Cyanide Safety
First Aid Procedures
Ingestion
– Remove victim from contamination.
Be careful of cross contamination!
– If Conscious:
• Give Activated Charcoal.
– If Consciousness is impaired or the victim is unconscious:
• DO NOT give Activated Charcoal!!