Australia continues to solidify its status as a global leader in gold production with recent innovations aimed at enhancing sustainability. In 2024, the nation produced nearly 300 tonnes of gold, valued at approximately $34 billion AUD. This output positioned gold as the fifth-most valuable export, alongside rising geopolitical tensions that have driven investors to seek refuge in precious metals. Forecasts suggest Australia’s gold earnings could reach $60 billion AUD in both 2025-26 and 2026-27, potentially rivaling traditional exports like coal and iron ore.
With the increased production comes a pressing need to address the environmental impacts of conventional extraction methods. Gold mining predominantly employs cyanide, a substance that, while effective in separating gold from ore, poses significant risks to environmental and public health. Historical incidents, such as the catastrophic cyanide spill at the Aural Gold Mine in Romania in 2000, which contaminated rivers and caused extensive ecological damage, highlight the dangers inherent in cyanide use.
To combat these risks, a team of researchers at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), led by Principal Research Scientists Dr. Paul Breuer and Dr. Xianwen Dai, has developed a patented technology known as the Sustainable Gold Cyanidation Technology. This innovative process not only improves gold recovery rates but also facilitates the recycling of toxic cyanide, promising both economic and environmental benefits.
Dr. Dai, who conducted a month-long continuous testing campaign to validate the technology’s chemistry and economics, emphasized its significance for the gold industry. “Our process surpasses the commonly practiced cyanide destruction technology and we are now ready for pilot scale demonstration in the field,” he stated.
The new technology not only reduces the environmental risks associated with cyanide but also minimizes the quantities transported to mining sites, further lowering the potential for adverse environmental impacts. “This technology enables the recovery of cyanide and other toxic compounds, some base metals, and valuable soluble gold that typically remain unrecovered in cyanidation tailings,” Dr. Dai explained.
CSIRO’s commitment to sustainable practices is not new. The organization previously developed a cyanide-free gold extraction method called ‘Going for Gold’, which employs thiosulphate, a non-toxic alternative. This innovation earned the 2014 Australian Mining Prospect Award for its ability to eliminate the environmental risks associated with cyanide leaks and spills.
In partnership with Eco Minerals Research, CSIRO established a mobile gold processing demonstration plant in Menzies, Western Australia, allowing for real-world trials of their processes. This collaboration paved the way for the technology’s eventual transfer to Clean Mining, an Australian company that now provides these sustainable solutions to the gold industry.
The successful operation at Barrick Gold’s Goldstrike Mine from 2014 to 2024, where the cyanide-free process handled up to 13,000 tonnes of ore daily, further demonstrates the viability of these innovations in large-scale applications.
Currently, Dr. Breuer and Dr. Dai are advancing the Sustainable Gold Cyanidation Technology to Technology Readiness Level 4, indicating readiness for pilot projects. They are actively seeking partnerships with gold producers, engineering firms, and suppliers to facilitate the technology’s implementation.
“The technology can deliver much greater economic and environmental benefits beyond what is possible with current cyanide recovery and recycling technologies,” Dr. Breuer noted. With adequate interest and collaboration, there is potential for enhanced gold yields while also promoting sustainability in the gold industry.
As Australia navigates the complex dynamics of its resource sector, these advancements signify a decisive step toward a more responsible and sustainable future in gold mining.
