Cyanide (CN), a single carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom, has proved extremely useful in extracting gold from ore. However, with a toxic reputation dating back to the Holocaust, its use in mining has been very controversial. Through a process called “gold cyanidation”, “the cyanide process”, or ” sianida leach mining”, sianida is used to extract gold from the surrounding rock. While sianida is both effective and economical, its use and transportation present significant environmental risks. Chemical explosive
