Introduction: A New Era: Goodbye to Cyanide!

Gold mining has been an important part of Ghana’s economy for many years, but traditional gold extraction methods have relied on sodium cyanide (NaCN) to separate gold from ore. Sodium cyanide, while effective, comes with many problems: it’s expensive, it harms the environment, and it often leads to distrust in local communities.

A glimpse of mining operations in Ghana, showcasing their impact on the surrounding environment.

For Ghana AB Gold Mine, these challenges became too much to handle. This case study explains how switching to TAS96, a new alternative to sodium cyanide, helped the mine cut costs, improve its environmental impact, and rebuild trust with local communities in just 30 days.

The Challenge: Sodium Cyanide is TOXIC!

At Ghana AB Gold Mine, they process 300 tons of ore daily. The ore is mostly limonite, a mineralized gold that is finely grained and highly oxidized. This makes it easier to extract gold using cyanide. But the team at the mine wanted a safer and better solution.

When they looked at their gold, most of it—about 91%—was easy to extract once the ore was finely ground. But the rest, nearly 9%, was locked up, making it hard to access. This challenge pushed them to search for something more effective than the sodium cyanide they were using.

Their method of choice is called CIP (Carbon-in-Pulp). It’s a smart way of extracting gold using chemicals to dissolve it from the ore. But sodium cyanide had its risks. It was harmful to the workers and the environment, and they knew they needed a change.

Sodium Cyanide: Very Useful but Detrimental to Environment if not use Right

Securely packed drums of sodium cyanide, ready for safe shipment to mining sites.

Gold mining is challenging, but this Ghanaian mine faced some specific problems beyond just extracting gold from the ore:

Gold Extraction Test: Comparing Cyanide Replacement & Sodium Cyanide

Reagent	Tailing gold grade (g/t)	Tailing water gold grade (g/m3)	Gold in loaded carbon (g/t-1)	Leaching rate (%)	Gold adsorption rate (%)	Recovery rate (%)
GDA	0.32	0.005	94.22	84.24	99.71	83.99
NaCN	0.34	0.007	99.32	83.25	99.59	82.91

With TAS96, the Ghanaian gold mine didn’t just find a replacement for sodium cyanide (NaCN), it found a way to operate more sustainably and cost-effectively, all while protecting the community and the environment.

Skyrocketing Costs

• • Every year, the price of sodium cyanide kept rising, eating into the mine’s profits.
  • The mine needed larger and larger amounts of sodium cyanide to keep up with production.
  • This meant the mine couldn’t invest in worker training, improving safety, or community projects.

Ghanaian gold miners need to have safety and clean environment during mining

Environmental Damage Averted

• • Sodium cyanide is highly toxic, and when it’s not handled properly, it can pollute nearby water sources.
  • This was a serious problem for the Ghanaian mine. The cyanide waste from gold extraction was harming local ecosystems, affecting plants, animals, and even people living nearby.

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Community Distrust

• • The local community was growing increasingly wary of the mine.
  • People saw the operations as a threat to their health and safety rather than an opportunity for economic development.
  • This rising tension led to distrust, which jeopardized the mine’s ability to operate in the area.
  • Without a strong relationship with the community, the mine’s future was at risk.

Strict Regulations

• • The Ghanaian activists started to demand stricter environmental laws aimed at mining practices.
  • The mine was at risk of facing fines, shutdowns, or even reputation damage if it didn’t find a way to comply with regulations.

Faced with these problems, the mine needed a solution that addressed the costs, environmental impact, and community concerns all at once.

TAS96, an eco-friendly alternative to sodium cyanide, revolutionizing gold extraction processes.

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Customer Information CAMAL Needs

Before we help you make the switch, CAMAL asks a few important questions about your mining process. This helps us understand your needs and tailor our solution just for you.

What kind of gold ore type do you have?

• • Different ore types react in various ways during gold extraction. For example, oxide ores often allow easier extraction than more complex refractory ores.

Packs of TAS96, an effective sodium cyanide replacement, are ready to enhance gold extraction while prioritizing safety and sustainability.

What kind of gold leaching technique is used?

• • Options include:
    • Heap leaching
    • CIL (Carbon-in-Leach)
    • CIP (Carbon-in-Pulp)
      • The leaching method affects how efficiently gold is extracted from your ore.

Gold ore processing capacity (tons per day)?

• • This tells us the scale of your operations so we can better match our solution to your needs.

How many tons of sodium cyanide were you using per month?

• • Knowing your current cyanide usage helps us understand your cost and environmental impact, so we can show you how TAS96 makes a difference.

Successful sodium cyanide replacement (Tas96) shipment to Ghana

The Solution: TAS96, Sodium Cyanide Alternative—A Smarter, Safer Way to Mine Gold

TAS96 is an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to sodium cyanide. TAS96 was developed by Camachem, a subsidiary of CAMAL, as a solution to the problems caused by sodium cyanide used in gold mining. TAS96 isn’t just another chemical. It’s safer for people and kinder to the planet. This matters deeply to the mine, where the health of workers and sustainability are priorities.

• • Cut Costs: TAS96 uses smaller amounts of chemicals and works faster, which reduces reagent costs by 15%. This made the mine’s operations cheaper.
  • Protect the Environment: TAS96 has a low toxicity, so it doesn’t pollute the environment as much as sodium cyanide does. It reduces harmful waste, which helps keep the water clean.

• • Simplify the Transition: TAS96 was easy to integrate into the mine’s existing Carbon-in-Pulp (CIP) system, meaning the mine didn’t have to buy expensive new equipment.
  • Build Community Trust: TAS96 helped the mine improve its relationship with local communities by reducing pollution and using safer chemicals. The mine became seen as a responsible company that cares about people and the environment.

 

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Implementation: A Smooth and Successful Transition to TAS96

Switching to TAS96 was straightforward. Here’s how the process unfolded:

Initial Assessment and Planning

• • CAMAL’s experts visited the mine and carefully studied its operations.
  • They came up with a detailed plan on how to introduce TAS96 without interrupting the mining process.
  • This planning phase helped ensure a smooth and successful switch.

Equipment Compatibility

• • One of the best features of TAS96 is that it works well with existing equipment, like the Carbon-in-Pulp (CIP) systems the mine was already using.
  • The mine didn’t need to make expensive changes to its equipment, which saved both time and money.
  • This also meant the mine didn’t experience any long delays during the transition.

Comprehensive Training

• • CAMAL provided training for all the mine workers.
  • They taught workers how to safely handle TAS96 and explained how it was different from sodium cyanide.
  • This training gave workers confidence and helped ensure the new system was used correctly from day one.

Reliable Supply Chain

• • CAMAL made sure there was always a steady supply of TAS96.
  • The mine didn’t have to worry about running out of the new chemical, which kept operations running smoothly.

Heap Leaching and TAS96

Heap Leaching is a process used for extracting gold from low-grade ores. It involves stacking crushed ore into big heaps and then applying a leaching solution to dissolve the gold. However, traditional methods use cyanide, which is toxic and dangerous.

A heap leaching mine where TAS96, a safer alternative to sodium cyanide for gold extraction can be employed.

Here’s where TAS96 shines:

Less Toxic, More Safe

• • TAS96 is just as effective at dissolving gold, but it’s much safer for both the workers and the environment.
  • It reduces the harmful impacts of mining, making the whole process safer for everyone involved.

 

Same Great Results, Less Risk

• • Mining companies can still get the gold they need without the worry of toxic chemicals.
  • It’s a win-win for the business and the people working there.

TAS96 isn’t just changing how gold is extracted; it’s changing how the industry cares for its workers and the planet.

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CIL (Carbon-in-Leach) Process with TAS96

In the CIL (Carbon-in-Leach) process, gold is extracted by mixing the ore with a leaching solution and activated carbon. The gold is then adsorbed onto the carbon, which helps extract the gold from the ore. Traditionally, this process uses cyanide, but that can be harmful to both workers and the environment.

 

TAS96 brings these benefits to the CIL process:

Easy to Use

• • TAS96 can be used in CIL systems without needing any major changes to the equipment.
  • This makes it easy for mining companies to switch and start using a safer chemical right away.

Better for the Earth

• • Just like with heap leaching, using TAS96 in CIL means less harmful chemicals and a lower environmental impact.
  • It shows that gold can be extracted responsibly and sustainably.

A carbon-in-leach gold plant demonstrating an efficient gold extraction process with leaching solutions and activated carbon.

TAS96 makes CIL safer for everyone and helps mining companies comply with tighter regulations. Plus, it ensures a higher level of trust from the local communities, who can feel confident that the mine is working responsibly.

The Story Behind the Success of the Ghana Gold Mine: Innovation, Responsibility, and Leadership

The switch to TAS96 wasn’t just about saving money—it was about changing the way the mine operated. The mine’s leadership showed that it was possible to be profitable while being responsible. Here’s what made the transition so successful:

• • Vision: The mine’s leaders saw the need for change and took action to ensure long-term success.
  • Empathy: They understood the importance of protecting the environment and the health of local communities.
  • Resilience: The mine faced many challenges but was able to adapt and come out stronger, thanks to the after-sales support of CAMAL.

This wasn’t just about improving the bottom line; it was about transforming the mine into a model of sustainable, responsible mining.

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Why TAS96 is the Future of Gold Mining

TAS96 is more than just an alternative to sodium cyanide; it’s a game-changer for the gold mining industry. Here’s why:

• • Cost-Effective: It reduces reagent costs by 15% without affecting performance.
  • Eco-Friendly: It meets and exceeds environmental regulations with a low-toxicity formula.

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• • Safer for Workers: It’s a safer option for workers, eliminating the risks associated with sodium cyanide.
  • Easy Integration: TAS96 can be used with existing systems, meaning no need for expensive upgrades.

TAS96 proves that gold mining can be both profitable and sustainable. It’s a win-win for mines, communities, and the environment.

The CAMAL Experience: Expertise That Makes the Difference

The switch to TAS96 was not just about using a better chemical. It was also about having the right partner. CAMAL helped the Ghana Gold Mine make the change in just 30 days. Here’s how CAMAL made a big difference:

Detailed Assessment

• • CAMAL started by carefully looking at the mine’s processes.
  • They studied the ore type, the leaching technique (CIP), and the amount processed daily.
  • This assessment helped them see how TAS96 could work in the mine without any problems.

Customized Plan

• • After the assessment, CAMAL made a special plan for the mine.
  • The plan included details on how to change the chemical in the process.
  • It also covered how to keep the mine running without stopping production.
  • This plan was made just for the mine, based on its size and needs.

Training and Support

• • CAMAL’s experts visited the mine to teach the workers how to use TAS96.
  • They showed everyone the safe way to handle the new chemical.
  • The training was simple and clear so that every worker felt safe and understood the changes.

Reliable Supply Chain

• • CAMAL made sure that the mine always had a steady supply of TAS96.
  • There were no delays in delivery.
  • This meant that the mine could keep working without any interruptions.

Ongoing Monitoring

• • Even after the change, CAMAL did not leave the mine alone.
  • They kept checking in to see how things were going.
  • Regular reviews helped the mine fix any little problems quickly.
  • This ongoing support made sure that TAS96 worked as well as promised.

With CAMAL’s help, the switch to TAS96 was smooth and fast. The mine did not have to stop work or spend too much money on new equipment. Instead, they were able to start saving money and protecting the environment right away.

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The Results: Transformative Benefits for the Ghana Gold Mine

Switching to TAS96 brought many benefits. The results were so good that they changed the way the mine worked every day.

Cost Savings

• • The mine cut its chemical costs by 15%.
  • This extra money could be used for training workers and helping the local community.

Environmental Compliance

• • TAS96 is much less toxic than sodium cyanide.
  • The mine no longer had to spend money on cleaning up harmful waste.
  • This helped the mine follow all the new strict rules.

Operational Efficiency

• • The switch to TAS96 did not stop the work.
  • The mine kept running smoothly and kept its gold output high.

Improved Community Relations

• • With cleaner operations, the local people felt safer.
  • The mine became a good partner in the community.
  • Trust was rebuilt, and the community started to support the mine.

What the Results Mean

Customer Was Happy

• • The new way made the mine run smoothly.
  • Workers were safer and more confident.
  • The local community saw the mine as a friend.

Days of Cyanide Are Numbered

• • The harmful days of using dangerous sodium cyanide are over.
  • TAS96 proved that a safe and green alternative can work very well.

Cost and Environment Goals Can Be Achieved at the Same Time

• • The mine saved money while also protecting the earth.
  • TAS96 helped the mine meet tough rules and reduce waste.
  • This means you do not have to choose between making money and caring for the planet.

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Want to Learn More?

We’ve written about how to buy from China and about mining and chemicals. Check out these articles to learn more:

• • Top 10 Chinese Chemical Manufacturers
  • Top 10 Chemical Companies in the World
  • Top 10 Petrochemical Companies in China
  • Top Tools For Finding Chinese Manufacturers and Suppliers
  • Role of Chemicals in Gold Mining, Processing and Recovery
  • Complete Guide to Sourcing Industrial Materials from China

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Conclusion

TAS96 has proven to be the ultimate solution for the challenges faced by the Ghanaian gold mine, and its success can be summed up in one sentence: Switching to TAS96 transformed a struggling gold mine into a model of sustainable and profitable mining.

Key Takeaways:

• • TAS96 cuts reagent costs by 15%.
  • It eliminates the need for expensive detoxification.
  • The product integrates easily with existing systems.
  • TAS96 ensures high recovery rates and steady gold output.
  • Compliance with environmental laws becomes simpler.
  • Community trust improves due to safer operations.
  • Workers feel safer with low-toxicity materials.
  • CAMAL’s support ensures a smooth transition.
  • The mine’s eco-friendly certification boosts its reputation.
  • TAS96 proves that sustainability and profitability can coexist.

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