Cyanide-based mining in Rosia Montana, Romania

Student: Gaina razvan Specialization: Environmental protection and sustainable power

Environment

Actual situation in Rosia Montana

Cyanide A cyanide is a chemical compund that contains the cyano group, -C N, which consists of a carbon atomtriple-bonded to a nitrogen atom. Cyanides most commonly refer to salts of the anion CN Most cyanides are highly toxic. Cyanide is not toxic in the solid form but reacts very quick with the water. Cyanide is highly toxic. Cyanide is the killing agent used in gas chambers. Cyanide poisoning can occur through inhalation, ingestion, and skin or eye contact. One teaspoon of a 2% solution can kill a person.

RMGC opinion: there were no deaths caused by cyanide in mines across the world until present

The Baia Mare Gold Mine Cyanide Spill

The European Environmental Agency describes the accident as the "worst case scenario for the region's rivers". The Agency's own research has found levels of cyanide four times higher than first indications suggested.

CE 2006/21/EC DirectiveBaia Mare 2000

400mg/l

Legal limit in SUA, Canada, Australia

50mg/l

UE Directive10mg/l Concentratii de cianura in iazul de decantare

Rosia Montana Project5mg/l

Neutralisation instalation in the project

European Directive : 10ppm Rosia Montana : 5-7 ppm Rosia Montana after natural decomposition: 2-3 ppm They compare one cup of coffee with 6 ppm

European Law Directive 2006/21/EC on the management of waste from the extractive industries (the mining waste directive). Wastes from the extractive industries have therefore to be properly managed in order to ensure in particular the long-term stability of disposal facilities and to prevent or minimise any water and soil pollution arising from acid or alkaline drainage and leaching of heavy metals.

Romanian Law

Law 426 / 2001 Our law specifically mentions cyanide , oragnic or anorganic, and the derivates as dangerous substances that shouldnt be used in processes that could harm the population !

The necessity of cyanide Dissolution of gold with cyanide requires oxygen to be efficient. This is the Elsen equation:

4 Au + 8 NaCN + O2 + 2H2O = 4 NaAu(CN)2 + 4 NaOH We can observe that the gold is fixed with cyanide as a complex and this is not the only metal that acts this way, silver and other 27 metals react with cyanide and this is the reason why the mining technology uses this substance

Economical utility

The cyanide process of gold recovery enabled a higher percentage of gold and silver to be extracted from hard rock, making many operations viable that would otherwise have had to close.

Real necessity? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists several alternatives to cyanide, including starch and sulfur dioxide. In 1999, 16 of 18 leading U.S. zinc mines and 11 of 15 leading U.S. copper mines did not use cyanide. The quantity of deposited gold is enourmous

RMGC says that there are 500 mines in the world and only 5% of them donte use cyanide

TARI IN CARE AURUL SE EXTRAGE FOLOSIND CIANURA

Use cyanide-based technology Countries that dont use cyanide-based technology

UNEPs Code

The Code is one of UNEP's success stories both in terms of process and results. The Code represents a significant advancement in the self-regulation of the global gold industry, and it is an important tool for the industry and its stakeholders in the ongoing effort to minimize both the likelihood and the impact of incidents in the future. With broad implementation, the Code should continue to be instrumental in reducing not only the frequency and severity of cyanide incidents but also the fear associated with the chemical's continued use.

Truths occurs naturally is not toxic in all forms or all concentrations does not persist in the environment is not cumulative should not be confused with acid drainage is not a heavy metal is not radioactive can be manufactured, stored, transported, used and disposed of in a safe manner.

Romanian Academy position The project doesnt represent the public interest and the national economy will not gain advantages Using the latest technologies we cant neutralise sodium cyanide and the complex compunds with the heavymetals art. 8 from the Romanian Academy Declaration

Not vital for our existence ! Enormous stockpiles of unused gold already exist above ground in reserve banks around the world

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