| The use of cyanide in the mining process of metals | | | | Workers at gold mining operations can be exposed |
| such as gold and silver, leads to severe environmental | | | | to cyanide during the heap leaching or tank extraction |
| risks. The use of cyanide in gold mining has led to | | | | process. Cyanide is very harmful to human being as it |
| environmental disasters in many countries across the | | | | acts as a poison to the human body. Severe |
| world such as the United States, Canada, China, | | | | breathing difficulties develop when cyanide is inhaled, |
| Guyana, Bolivia, Zimbabwe, Philippines and Ghana. | | | | swallowed or absorbed through the skin. Cyanide |
| Recently, Community groups and NGOs in Europe and | | | | blocks the absorption of oxygen by cells, making the |
| the United States issued a report which exposed the | | | | victim to suffocate. Exposure to concentrated levels |
| danger of unregulated cyanide compound releases | | | | of cyanide can be fatal to the human beings. |
| from mines around the world. | | | | Exposure to very low concentration of cyanide may |
| Cyanide is deadly for human beings as well as the | | | | cause cancer in people or animals. |
| environment. The main risks associated with the use | | | | We are not certain about the presence and |
| of cyanide in mining process are exposure of | | | | concentration of numerous cyanide compounds in |
| workers to concentrated hydrogen cyanide gas, | | | | mining wastes. We are also not sure about the |
| leaking of cyanide into the environment and exposure | | | | presence, persistence, and toxicity of cyanide and |
| of surrounding communities to cyanide due to | | | | related compounds in the environment. But as the |
| accidental releases. During the mining process, the | | | | effects of cyanide are getting more obvious, the |
| release of cyanide along with other toxic chemicals | | | | opposition to cyanide leaching in gold mining is also |
| such as arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury, leads to | | | | increasing. |
| harmful effects and permanent damage to some | | | | The use of cyanide in mining causes an unreasonable |
| species of animals, plants and human beings. It may | | | | risk to the health of people, wildlife, and fish. As the |
| also result in deforestation, soil erosion, land slides, | | | | hazards of cyanide in mining process are very much |
| and contamination of underground water. | | | | obvious, it is the responsibility of the Government |
| The release of arsenic and other poisonous chemicals | | | | and mining companies to take essential steps. The |
| during the cyanide leaching process is very dangerous. | | | | International Cyanide Management Code provides |
| The cyanide-leach wastes of mining process have the | | | | direction and guidance on how to manage cyanide to |
| potential to negatively impact municipal sewage and | | | | ensure protection of workers, the environment and |
| water treatment procedures. It also potentially | | | | the communities adjacent to mining operations. Mining |
| increases the human intake of several toxic | | | | waste should be regulated in the same manner as |
| substances. All the cyanide-containing water bodies | | | | other chemical or industrial waste. The public needs |
| formed during gold mining milling operations are | | | | enough awareness about mining hazards. The |
| hazardous to wild animals and migratory birds such | | | | government should ban mining projects that result in |
| waterfowl and bats, if not managed properly. Even | | | | environmental hazards in order to prevent ecological |
| accidental leaking of cyanide solutions into rivers and | | | | disasters. Citizens must also oppose such mining |
| streams will kill fish and other aquatic animals | | | | projects. Many organizations in countries such as |
| massively. Especially, freshwater fish are the most | | | | United States, Canada and Turkey have started |
| cyanide-sensitive aquatic organisms. | | | | associations for banning cyanide leaching in mining. |