Sodium Cyanide (NaCN)

Sodium cyanide (NaCN) is a highly toxic inorganic chemical compound used in various industrial and metallurgical applications, particularly in gold and silver mining. It is a chemical that requires strict adherence to procedures for controlled supply, safe transport, storage, and handling, especially in industrial applications demanding high purity.

Leveraging its experience in industrial chemicals, metal surface treatment, and electrometallurgy, Worldchemtrade provides services to professional industrial users regarding the supply of sodium cyanide, ensuring full compliance with regulatory and safety requirements.

What is Sodium Cyanide?

• Formula : NaCN  
• CAS no :  143-33-9
• HS Code : 283711
• Physical characteristics: 

         - Appearance and Odor: White, crystalline solid; has a faint almond odor (though the scent may not be perceptible to everyone due to genetic factors).

        - Molecular Weight: 49 g/mol

        - Density: Approximately 1.59 g/cm³ (20°C)

        - Boiling Point: Approximately 1496°C – 1500°C

           - Solubility: Highly soluble in water (e.g., approximately 63.7 g dissolves in 100 mL of water at 25°C). It is also soluble in ammonia, methanol, and ethanol.

                    - Moisture-Absorbing Property: It possesses moisture-absorbing properties. This means it has the ability to absorb significant amounts of water from the atmosphere and transform into a liquid state.

Uses of Sodium Cyanide

One of the most well-known industrial applications of sodium cyanide is in precious metal mining (gold, silver). Additionally, it can be used in a controlled manner in various metallurgical and chemical processes.

The primary areas of use are as follows:

• Gold mining
• Silver mining
• Processing of precious metal ores
• Metallurgical processes
• Some surface treatment and electroplating applications (zinc plating, copper plating, gold plating)
• Chemical processes
• Controlled industrial production practices

The scope of sodium cyanide application may vary depending on the process design, the ore or metal being processed, the plant infrastructure, and relevant regulatory requirements.

Sodium Cyanide and Gold Mining

Sodium cyanide is one of the most important process chemicals used in gold mining to recover gold from ore.

The ability of gold to form a complex with cyanide under specific chemical conditions constitutes the fundamental chemical principle of this method. In industrial facilities, this process requires the simultaneous evaluation of numerous parameters, such as ore characterization, process design, environmental controls, process safety, and waste management.

The most economical method for extracting gold from low-grade ores (rocks containing 1 gram or less of gold per tonne) is the cyanide heap leaching method.

Cyanide heap leaching is a process in which crushed ore is spread in heaps over an impermeable base—utilizing various materials such as clay, asphalt, cement, or plastic liners—and a sodium cyanide solution is sprayed onto the heaps to dissolve the gold. The dissolved gold is collected from the base of the heap and subsequently sent to stages such as adsorption or precipitation.

The use of sodium cyanide in the mining sector is not limited to mere chemical supply. Aspects such as the product's supply chain, storage, transportation, process safety, emergency management, and the control of environmental risks must also be evaluated holistically.

Worldchemtrade aims to work with professional industrial users in chemical supply processes for the mining sector.

Sodium Cyanide and Electroplating Applications

Sodium cyanide is also used in certain metal surface treatment and electroplating processes.

Cyanide compounds can act as complexing agents, particularly in certain metal plating systems that utilize cyanide-based electrolytes. Sodium cyanide is used in electroplating processes such as cyanide zinc plating, cyanide copper plating, and cyanide gold plating.

However, due to environmental, occupational health and safety, and regulatory requirements, cyanide-free or lower-risk alternative processes are currently preferred in many applications.

Worldchemtrade's expertise in metal plating and surface treatment chemicals enables the evaluation of alternative plating technologies alongside the industrial applications of sodium cyanide.

Sodium Cyanide Safety Data Shhet / SDS

Due to the high toxicity of sodium cyanide, the product's SDS (Safety Data Sheet) is one of the essential documents in the procurement and usage process.

The SDS/MSDS contains safety-critical information such as product hazards, safe handling conditions, personal protective measures, storage conditions, transport information, first aid details, and emergency procedures.

In professional procurement processes conducted via Worldchemtrade, it is essential to review the relevant product's up-to-date manufacturer documentation and to fulfill the conditions required by applicable regulations.

Sodium Cyanide Storage and Transport

The storage and transportation of sodium cyanide require special safety procedures.

The product must be managed solely in industrial facilities that possess the appropriate infrastructure and authorization, in accordance with the conditions specified in the manufacturer's SDS and applicable legislation.

Particularly in storage and logistics processes:

• Prevention of unauthorized access
• Proper packaging
• Labeling
• Chemical compatibility
• Control of humidity and environmental conditions
• Emergency procedures
• Authorized transport processes
• Relevant dangerous goods legislation

should be taken into consideration.

Worldchemtrade collaborates with authorized carriers and emergency response service partners—all ICMI signatories—for the road transport of sodium cyanide and provides delivery services to mine sites upon request.

Sodium Cyanide Supplier - Worldchemtrade

Worldchemtrade combines its experience in the fields of galvanics, electrometallic plating, surface treatment, sodium cyanide and industrial chemicals with professional chemical supply processes.

When sourcing sodium cyanide, not only the product itself but also its technical specifications, manufacturer documentation, quality requirements, logistics processes, and regulatory compliance must be evaluated.

Worldchemtrade assists in the technical and commercial evaluation of procurement processes based on the needs of relevant industrial users.

Why Worldchemtrade?

International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC)

The International Cyanide Management Code (Cyanide Code) is a significant international reference regarding the use of cyanide in the mining sector.

The Cyanide Code is a voluntary industry program aimed at improving risk management and safety practices regarding the production, transport, and use of cyanide in the mining sector.

ICMC/ICMI statuses regarding the manufacturers and supply chain partners with whom Worldchemtrade works should be evaluated based on the relevant manufacturer's current official records and documentation.

Points to Consider Sodium Cyanide Procurement

In a professional sodium cyanide procurement process, merely comparing prices is not sufficient.

The following criteria need to be evaluated together:

1. The manufacturer's reliability
2. Technical specifications of the product
3. Purity and quality certificates
4. SDS/MSDS and TDS documentation
5. Packaging standard
6. Logistics infrastructure
7. Requirements for the transport of dangerous goods
8. Import and customs legislation
9. Storage conditions
10. Legal and operational suitability of the buyer

Establishing a reliable supply chain for high-risk chemicals such as sodium cyanide is a fundamental purchasing criterion, regardless of the product price.