A Look at Chemical Degradation vs. Biodegradation of Cyanide and Metal-Complexed Cyanides Found in Industrial Wastewater Generated by the Mining Industry

The mining industry has been using cyanide in their metal recovery processes for over 100 years. During this time, the mining industry has found several ways to destroy and recover the cyanide from their processes. However, due to cyanide’s toxicity and potentially devastating environmental effects, it is still a major environmental concern. This paper examines both the chemical and biological treatment processes currently used by the mining industry to treat their cyanide wastes. Further, some discussion is made about the added water quality benefits of using a biological treatment process instead of a chemical process. The paper finishes by discussing the economic and environmental viability of a biological treatment process, as well as future applications of microorganisms, and even plants, in the biodegradation of cyanide.