Cyanide and cyanidation wastes management in gold leaching plants in Siaya County, Kenya.
Cyanidation wastes
Cyanide
Gold cyanidation
Gold leaching plants
Kenya
PESTEL factors
Journal
Environmental geochemistry and health
ISSN: 1573-2983
Titre abrégé: Environ Geochem Health
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 8903118
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
31 Aug 2024
31 Aug 2024
Historique:
received:
13
03
2024
accepted:
17
08
2024
medline:
1
9
2024
pubmed:
1
9
2024
entrez:
31
8
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
This study assesses cyanide and cyanidation wastes management practices among small, medium and large-scale gold leaching plants in Siaya County, Kenya. The socio-economic benefits of gold extraction through cyanidation of mercury-contaminated tailings notwithstanding, the study establishes inadequate cyanide and cyanidation wastes management practices which could potentially cause significant environmental and human health impacts. Through structured key-informant interviews with operators from 15 selected gold leaching plants of varying scales of operation, along with field observations, and quantitative analysis utilizing both bivariate and inferential statistical tools, the study reveals inadequacies in cyanide, cyanidation wastewater, and tailings management practices. Key findings highlight widespread contravention of the international cyanide management standards and lack of adoption of advanced cyanidation wastes treatment technologies. Moreover, the study examines Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal factors as external factors affecting the management of cyanidation wastes. Consequently, the study recommends adoption of comprehensive cyanide management practices as outlined in the Cyanide Code and technological upgrades to mitigate potential environmental and human health impacts, and enhance regulatory compliance in gold cyanidation. In a nutshell, this study underscores the urgent need for stringent enforcement of environmental and mining industry laws and regulations in order to protect the environment and public health in gold mining regions. These measures are vitally important to ensure responsible mining practices and uphold environmental stewardship while promoting economic growth.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39215913
doi: 10.1007/s10653-024-02178-x
pii: 10.1007/s10653-024-02178-x
doi:
Substances chimiques
Cyanides
0
Gold
7440-57-5
Industrial Waste
0
Wastewater
0
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
410Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.
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