Orica trucks on a mine site

Sodium cyanide

Orica is one of the largest global producers of sodium cyanide.

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Sodium Cyanide

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Gold Extraction Process

Sodium cyanide has been used in the extraction of gold from ore for over a century. Today it is still considered the most efficient extraction method – with sodium cyanide used in the leaching process in most gold mining operations.

Orica is one of the largest producers of sodium cyanide for the mining industry. Ammonia and caustic soda are the key raw materials used in the production of this chemical.

  • Solid sodium cyanide is produced to form a white crystalline briquette or ‘cyanoid’. These briquettes are highly soluble and can be delivered to customers using the Orica-designed Sparge system, or in flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs).
  • Liquid sodium cyanide is delivered to mine sites via purpose-built isotanks that are suitable for road or rail transport.

To ensure the safety of our customers, Orica offers a 24/7 emergency response capability, plus technical advice and awareness programs in the safe use and handling of cyanide on mine sites.

Yarwun, Gladstone Cyanide Manufacturing Facility

Orica’s sodium cyanide manufacturing facility is located in Queensland, Australia. The site has an annual cyanide capacity of 95kTpa and is compliant with ISO9002 and the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC).

Our dedicated manufacturing facility, together with our sodium cyanide transfer stations in Africa and Latin America enable continuous supply of product, while our proven supply chain provides safe and secure supply of this chemical to our customers around the world.

 

Cyanco, US-based Manufacturer and Distributor of Cyanide 

Cyanco, a US-based leader in the manufacture and distribution of sodium cyanide primarily serving the gold mining industries in the US, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, and Africa.

Cyanco is a leading manufacturer and distributor of sodium cyanide, a specialised chemical required for gold processing.

Cyanco’s production facilities are strategically located to serve the Nevada gold mining region and seaborne export market. Cyanco is a leading supplier of sodium cyanide in the US, with a well-established distribution footprint, enabling service to gold mines in Canada through rail link and supply capabilities into international regions through seaborne transportation.

 

ICMC Compliance

Orica is a signatory to the International Cyanide Management Code and our sodium cyanide manufacturing facility and transfer stations are fully ICMC accredited.

Our global supply chain is ICMC certified– with route assessments conducted by accredited third party contractors for road deliveries and due diligence programs for port and rail delivery operations.

To help our customers ensure the safe use and handling of sodium cyanide onsite we offer:

  • onsite sodium cyanide storage recommendations and reviews
  • a 24/7 emergency response service, and
  • site-based product awareness and safety training.

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EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICE

Emergency
  • Australia: 1800 033 111
  • New Zealand: 0800 734 607

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