A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining

Figure 4.8 – The Northern Territory’s “Lab Truck”
Hazardous Substances
Introduction
Hazardous substances used and hazardous waste generated on mine and mineral
processing sites may include:
Acids (sulfuric, hydrochloric); contact with strong acid liquids or fumes
is a human health hazard and may also cause structural damage in a
facility. Releases of acid to the environment may have direct effects
on biota but also solubilise and thus mobilise heavy metal toxicants, as
described in the handbook Managing Acid and Metalliferous Drainage.
Sodium cyanide for gold recovery in large operations. The handbook Cyanide
Management provides extensive information about sodium and calcium
cyanides, with particular attention given to mammalian toxicity and consequent
environmental impacts. With regard to the environment, best practice is
exemplified by adherence to the International Cyanide Management Code to
which major gold mining organisations subscribe. The Code covers production
transport, use and disposal of cyanides. The risk of cyanide poisoning is by
ingestion and exposure to workplace vapours, mists and solution contact. It
should be noted that, although small quantities of hydrogen cyanide are
generated when sodium cyanide is exposed to moist air, only one person in
two (for genetic reasons) is able to detect the odour of hydrogen cyanide.
A GUIDE TO LEADING PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MINING 107