CYANIDE TRAININGCYANIDE TRAININGProper care and handling of sodium-carbon-nitrogen Proper care and handling of sodium-carbon-nitrogen

compoundscompounds

XXXX Gold Mining Company XXXX Gold Mining Company

CYANIDE TRAININGCYANIDE TRAININGWhy the need for this 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 What is Cyanide?Cyanide?

• Chemical Symbol:

• Chemical Name :

Sodium Cyanide

NaCN

• “Better” Chemical Name:

Sodium Carbon Nitrogen

CYANIDE SAFETYCYANIDE SAFETY

The use of cyanide for the extraction of gold is The use of cyanide for the extraction of gold is only one of the many industrial uses of cyanide, only one of the many industrial uses of cyanide, accounting for less than 20% of worldwide accounting for less than 20% of worldwide hydrogen cyanide production. The remaining 80% hydrogen cyanide production. The remaining 80% is used in a variety of processes including the is used in a variety of processes including the production of plastics (such as acrylics and nylon) production of plastics (such as acrylics and nylon) and pharmaceuticals (ibuprofen and naproxen), and pharmaceuticals (ibuprofen and naproxen), processing of food (decaffeination of coffee and as processing of food (decaffeination of coffee and as an anti-caking additive in table salt), and for an anti-caking additive in table salt), and for electroplating and hardening of steel.electroplating and hardening of steel.

USES

Process DescriptionProcess Description

ADRPLANT

LEACHPAD

Barren Solution

PREGPUMPS

Preg Solution

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.

4. Preg Solution is Collected from Leach Pad and Pumped Back to ADR Plant were the Gold is Removed, with other metals.

Cyanide SafetyCyanide Safety

Potential Areas for ExposurePotential Areas for Exposure Fast Acting PoisonFast Acting Poison Routes of EntryRoutes of Entry HCN Exposure LimitsHCN Exposure Limits Symptoms of Cyanide Symptoms of Cyanide

PoisoningPoisoning First Aid ProceduresFirst Aid Procedures

Cyanide SafetyCyanide SafetyPotential Areas for ExposurePotential Areas for Exposure

ADR PlantLabLeach Pad

CyanideCyanide SafetySafetyPPersonal ersonal PProtective rotective EEquipmentquipment

What is required?

– Full PPE to Mix NaCN or perform maintenance work in NaCN storage areas.

– Safety Glasses In All Areas.

- No Acids NearCyanide.

Cyanide SafetyCyanide Safety

Fast Acting Poison - if Exposure is to Fast Acting Poison - if Exposure is to high levels - usually as HCNhigh levels - usually as HCN

– Cyanide Prevents Cellular Respiration. Cyanide Prevents Cellular Respiration. Mainly in the Brain & Heart!Mainly in the Brain & Heart!

– HCN Gas, Cyanide Dust or Solution are all HCN Gas, Cyanide Dust or Solution are all Dangerous.Dangerous.

– Cyanide poisoning is recoverable if Cyanide poisoning is recoverable if treatment is administered quickly. treatment is administered quickly. Normally in 3-4 minutes! Therefore, Normally in 3-4 minutes! Therefore, responders must work quickly!responders must work quickly!

CyanideCyanide SafetySafety Routes of EntryRoutes of Entry

NO EATING, DRINKING, OR SMOKING AROUND CYANIDE WORKING AREAS!!

– Skin– Eyes– Ingestion– Inhalation

CyanideCyanide SafetySafetyBarren Solution CharacteristicsBarren 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.

CyanideCyanide SafetySafetyHCN HCN ProductionProduction• The Higher the pH of the Solution the Less HCN Produced.

• DO NOT Mix Acid and Cyanide!!!

CyanideCyanide SafetySafety HCN ExposureHCN Exposure

–Current LimitsCurrent Limits 10 ppm on an 8 hour TWA10 ppm on an 8 hour TWA 5 ppm on a 12 hour TWA5 ppm on a 12 hour TWA

–New Guidance for PPENew Guidance for PPE 4.7 ppm Maximum4.7 ppm Maximum**

* Recommended by the ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) but not yet approved. Suggested in International Code.

CyanideCyanide SafetySafety HCN ExposureHCN Exposure

– EffectsEffects 2-5 ppm2-5 ppm Odor threshold Odor threshold 4.7 ppm4.7 ppm Maximum Exposure Maximum Exposure 20-40 ppm20-40 ppm Slight symptoms after Slight symptoms after

several hoursseveral hours 45-54 ppm45-54 ppm Tolerated for ½ to 1 hour Tolerated for ½ to 1 hour

without significant immediate or delayed without significant immediate or delayed effectseffects

100-200 ppm100-200 ppm Fatal within ½ to 1 hour Fatal within ½ to 1 hour 300 ppm300 ppm Rapidly fatal (if no treatment) Rapidly fatal (if no treatment)

CyanideCyanide SafetySafetySymptoms of Cyanide PoisoningSymptoms of Cyanide Poisoning

–Delayed Symptoms

•Irritation of the throat

•Salivation

•Giddiness

•Weakness of the arms and legs

•Difficulty breathing

•Palpitations

•Numbness

•Convulsions

•Collapse

–Early Symptoms

•Reddening of the eyes/skin

•Nausea

•Headache

CyanideCyanide SafetySafetyFirst Aid ProceduresFirst 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:

– If Conscious but symptoms are evident:

– If Consciousness is impaired or the victim is unconscious:

– If not breathing:

• No treatment is necessary. Just watch for symptoms to develop.

• Give Oxygen.

• Give Oxygen and Amyl Nitrite

• Give Oxygen and Amyl Nitrite immediately by means of a positive pressure respirator (artificial respiration).

CyanideCyanide SafetySafetyFirst Aid ProceduresFirst Aid Procedures

– Remove victim from contamination.

Be careful of cross contamination!

– If Conscious:

– If Consciousness is impaired or the victim is unconscious:

Ingestion

• Give Activated Charcoal.

• DO NOT give Activated Charcoal!!