The ManicaPost
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Reporter
THE use of cyanide in gold processing is common in extracting gold from low grade gold ore.
Unfortunately most of the small-scale mining activities are happening in human settlements, thereby putting people and their livestock in danger.
In Nyanga North, both legal and illegal gold mining has been the biggest source of income for the local community.
As such, many gold processing centres have over the years sprouted across the area.
With most of the gold mining and processing being done haphazardly owing to the large number of gold panners, villages have been swallowed up by the activities.
In Nyazingwe, many villages are now pale shadows of themselves.
Gold mining has destroyed the environment, thereby leaving the villagers’ fields with gullies and dirty water.
The villagers are aware of the risks posed by both the cyanide and gullies. They are living in fear.
The Mugeri family from Marusa Village has been living in this situation for the past two years.
Less than 100 metres from their homestead, Mr Abel Goche set up a gold cyanide plant.
Although Mr Goche says all his operations are above board, the Mugeri family feels their lives are in great danger due to the dangerous substances that are being used at the plant that is only a stone throw away from their homestead.
But since they are resource poor, they cannot afford to relocate. They have just accepted their fate and are learning to live with the danger.
The worst thing is that they have no idea how this will impact on their lives now or in future.
Mrs Tracey Mugeri says when Mr Goche moved in to commence his operations, they were not aware of what was happening.
“They came here and started assembling their equipment and we could not do anything about it when we found out that they would be using dangerous chemicals there. We don’t know what agreement he has with the community leaders, but as an individual, I cannot confront him because as an old widow, he will not listen to me,” she said.
Her daughter in-law, Mrs Unity Mugeri, also expressed displeasure at the gold processing happening at their doorstep.
She is worried about her young children who might find themselves in direct contact with the chemicals.
“My children sometimes play near that mill as I cannot always be watching over them. I am not sure how this chemical will affect them if they get in contact with it,” she said.
Although the Mugeri family does not own any cattle or goats that might be affected, other villagers do and they are just as worried.
The owner of the plant, Mr Goche, said they have been operating at the site for two years and are still to encounter any problems.
“What you should know is that cyanide is being used all over Zimbabwe in the extraction of gold. It is not only being used here at my claim. We have other mills using cyanide here, in Mutoko and other areas. The country needs the money that is coming from this gold. We are working hard to grow the economy,” he said.
He said his operations are legal.
“I have all the paperwork from EMA (Environmental Management Authority). Before you set up such structures, EMA inspects and approves. They did that.
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development also gave our operations the necessary seal of approval. I have all the paperwork to prove it,” he said.
Asked if he was putting precautionary measures to ensure the safety of villagers, Mr Goche said he had carried out an environmental impact assessment on the area — which was also approved by EMA — and is working within the confines of his claim.
He pledged to ensure that his operations will not affect human and wildlife in the area.
EMA regional manager, Mr Kingstone Chitotombe, confirmed that cyanide was approved for use in gold processing.
He said all licenses are only issued after inspections and approval of the mining projects.
“Cyanide is a highly toxic substance so we only issue the Hazardous Substance Storage Use and Sale licence after thoroughly vetting the applicant. We inspect to ensure that the area where the cyanide will be used is protected.
“Once set up, the area should be contained and clearly labelled so that people who are not authorised to handle cyanide do not handle the substance,” he said.
He said although licences could be given in areas where there are human settlements, the agency considers the people’s safety.
“Cyanide can cause harm to people and the environment if it is not handled properly. All areas that use cyanide should be secured to avoid access by people and animals. If high concentrations are spilled into the river it will affect the water users. However, it generally breaks down on its own once it enters into the environment,” said Mr Chitotombe.
Production of reagents for mineral processing to recover gold, copper, zinc and silver represents approximately 13 percent of cyanide consumption globally, with the remaining 87 percent of cyanide used in other industrial processes such as the manufacture of plastics, adhesives and pesticides.
However, due to its highly poisonous nature, cyanide use is considered controversial and its usage has been banned in a number of countries across the world.
Cyanide can result in substantial environmental impact and public health risks if released into the environment.
For instance, cyanide spills have resulted in major fish kills, with drinking water contaminated for both humans and animals.
While some claim that when cyanide spills it rapidly breaks down in surface water, experts say the compounds it breaks down into can be harmful.
They say cyanide seeps into groundwater, thereby contaminating drinking aquifers and polluting hydrologically connected neighbouring streams.
What is cyanide?
Cyanide is a fast-acting poison that can be lethal. It was used as chemical weapons for the first time in World War I. Low levels of cyanides are found in nature and in products we commonly eat and use. Cyanides are also found in cigarette smoke and vehicle exhaust.
How can people be exposed to cyanides?
People may be exposed to low levels of cyanides in their daily lives from foods, smoking and other sources. Eating or drinking cyanide-containing foods may cause health effects. Breathing cyanide gas, especially in a poorly ventilated space, has the greatest potential for harm. Lethal exposures to cyanides result only from accidents or intentional acts.
How does cyanide act in the body?
After exposure, cyanide quickly enters the bloodstream. The body handles small amounts of cyanide differently than large amounts. In small doses, cyanide in the body can be changed into thiocyanate, which is less harmful and is excreted in urine. In the body, cyanide in small amounts can also combine with another chemical to form vitamin B12, which helps maintain healthy nerve and red blood cells.
In large doses, the body’s ability to change cyanide into thiocyanate is overwhelmed. Large doses of cyanide prevent cells from using oxygen and eventually these cells die. The heart, respiratory system and central nervous system are most susceptible to cyanide poisoning.
What are the specific signs and symptoms of cyanide poisoning?
The health effects from high levels of cyanide exposure can begin in seconds to minutes. Some signs and symptoms of such exposures are:
Weakness and confusion
Headache
Nausea
Gasping for air and difficulty breathing
Loss of consciousness
Seizures
Cardiac arrest
The severity of health effects depends upon the route and duration of exposure, the dose, and the form of cyanide.
What can you do if you think you may have been exposed to a cyanide?
If you have been exposed to a release of cyanide, take the following steps:
Quickly move away from the area where you think you were exposed. If the release was indoors, go outdoors.
Quickly remove any clothing that may have cyanide on it. If possible, clothing that is normally removed over the head (like t-shirts and sweaters) should be cut off the body to prevent additional contact with the agent.
Quickly wash any cyanide from your skin with large amounts of soap and water, and flush your eyes with large amounts of water.
If needed, seek medical attention right away. – health.ny.gov
