Cyanide gold - issues, ameliorations and alternatives
(from industry sources)

Toxic sodium cyanide has been used in gold mining since 1887, and it remains the primary reagent in use for gold processing today because it allows for efficient extraction of gold from low-grade ore.

This is a no nonsense industry-insider appraisal of this process. from Mining Technology.
"After several high-profile leaks and spills, the use of cyanide in mining operations is facing increasing public opposition with some countries banning it completely. The toxic chemical is still widely used for the processing of certain ores, most notably gold, but should cyanide be phased out of mining, and what are the alternatives?"
https://www.mining-technology.com/featu ... g-4809245/

This paper is particularly relevant.
Cyanide Usage in the Gold Mining Industry Under Wet Tropical Conditions
http://www.metts.com.au/cyanide-management-tropics.html

24k high grade educational ore if you have any Q's or curiosity about cyanide ^^ Process slowly with strong coffee or scotch,
don't cyanide yourself just yet. there is always hope...

Two firms get priority rights to mines
Hin Pisei | Publication date 24 December 2020 | 21:53 ICT

The Ministry of Mines and Energy has given the nod to two companies to continue their exploration licence approval processes for some 207sq km of gold-polymetallic mining areas in Tbong Khmum and Ratanakkiri provinces.

The areas are 107.10sq km in the Memot area in Tbong Khmum’s eastern Memot district and 100sq km in the Phnom Pang area in Ratanakkiri’s southeastern O’Yadao district.

In a December 21 letter signed by minister Suy Sem and addressed to the two firms, the ministry said Renaissance Minerals (Cambodia) Ltd had been selected for the bloc in Memot, while Original Wisdom Consulting Services (Cambodia) Investment Co Ltd had been chosen for the Phnom Pang bloc.

The letter obliged the two companies to process their permits at the commune halls where their respective concessions are located.

Once confirmed by the offices, the firms must report to the ministry within 15 days. Failure to do so will result in relinquishing the priority rights given by the ministry, according to the letter.

The ministry denied Xinruichang Mining Co Ltd’s and Asian Comfort Investment Co Ltd’s bids for mining licences for the Memot bloc, citing “ineligibility for recruitment”.

Yos Mony Rath, director-general of the ministry’s General Department of Mineral Resources, told The Post on December 24 that the ministry’s commission officials made their selection after an evaluation that took “the confirmation of skills, experience and research techniques” into account.

He stressed the areas’ potential for exploitable metallic mineral resources, chiefly gold.

“Four companies were shortlisted, but after reviewing the procedures, the ministry decided to select the two firms as winners, which are allowed to continue their processes to obtain exploration licences in the area,” Mony Rath said.

But this does not immediately authorise the companies to start mining activities on the sites, he said, pointing out that an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and other procedures are required for the issue of a licence.

He also noted that applications for mining investment licences in Cambodia had not declined despite the outbreak of Covid-19, which will contribute to Cambodia’s economic growth.

According to him, there are currently about 50 companies licensed to mine in Cambodia.

Renaissance, a subsidiary of Australia-listed Emerald Resources NL, says it has largely weathered the fallout from Covid-19 and is on track to begin extracting gold in the first half of next year.

The company is in the process of developing a gold mine in the Okvau area in Mondulkiri province’s southwestern Keo Seima district.

It is also building a gold processing plant in Okvau, which it expects will be able to extract gold in the first half of next year. Original Wisdom is a joint venture between Chinese and Cambodian investors, according to Mony Rath.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/ ... ghts-mines

Struck Gold !
Maiden Gold Pour at the Okvau Gold Mine
By NS Energy Staff Writer 25 Jun 2021
Commissioning activities at Okvau are well advanced and have initially focussed on the processing of oxide ore from crusher to the SAG mill

Maiden Gold Pour at the Okvau Gold Mine. (Credit: nettetal10 from Pixabay.)

Emerald Resources NL (ASX: EMR) (“Emerald”) is pleased to advise that it has commissioned the gold room and poured first gold at its 100% owned 1.14Moz Okvau Gold Mine.

Two gold bars weighing a combined 8.6kg were produced during the three day commissioning of the gold room.

Emerald’s Chairman, Simon Lee AO, said:
“I share absolute pride and the sense of achievement with our unwavering staff, trusted contractors and suppliers in Australia and Cambodia who have battled unprecedented challenges to remain categorically focused on meeting our target of commissioning and first gold production from the Okvau gold mine on time and on budget.”

“This could not be achieved without the leadership of our experienced executive and management team led by Managing Director Morgan Hart and Executive Director, Mick Evans and the support from the Government of Cambodia and its people. We are truly lucky to operate in a country steeped in traditions and wonderful people.”
https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/news/m ... gold-mine/

See also: Australian Mining Firm Goes For Gold in Mondulkiri
business-and-finance/australian-mining- ... 24580.html