Cyanide and Ammonium Nitrate, Sources of Toxicity at Gold Mines

In Canada, the mining industry is relatively well-regulated in terms of mining effluent quality. Among the different types of analyses available for testing the numerous parameters and standards that must be met, the strictest and most problematic criterion is, without a doubt, toxicity.

Several metals can contribute to the toxicity of mining effluent. Effluent can be toxic even if each of the individual parameters of a sample meets the required standards. The synergistic effect of contaminants is often the cause.