Lesson 1 – Product Information

Sodium Cyanide Solution supply and delivery:  

• Cyanide is delivered in liquid bulk.
• Bulk tanker delivers 18-32 tons of liquid per load.
• We only use dedicated & approved transport service    providers (Tanker Services)
• Offloading is done by compressing the tanker with compressed air.

Sodium cyanide solution application and use:

• Cyanide is used in the mining Industry to extract metals from ore (gold, copper, cadmium, brass and zinc). The principle use of Cyanide is for the extraction of precious metals.
• Cyanide is used for metal plating.
• Cyanide is used for the conservation of wood (As a by-product).

• Sodium Cyanide Solution is 28% to 34% concentrated. Sodium Cyanide contains 1.5% Caustic, therefore it is an alkaline base.
• International Product Identification : Un No 3414 (1935 is a general number for all Cyanides)

Sodium Cyanide classification can be found on :

• The product delivery documents
• Storage Tank product stickers.
• Sasol  supplied product wall charts in the plants.
• Safety Data Sheets.
• UN Hazchem signs on the transportation tankers

Sodium Cyanide can also be Identified by: 

• Colour:  Dyed to light / dark red for identification purposes.
• Smell: It smells like a combination of almonds and ammonia
• Be very careful when smelling fumes. Cyanide fumes are very toxic.

Light Red: 

Dark Red:

Risks when exposed to Sodium Cyanide 

• Sodium Cyanide is extremely toxic (Even in very small quantities or droplets)
• Cyanide could be absorbed through your skin in liquid form and gaseous form.
• Cyanide is corrosive. It is alkaline and can cause skin burns.
• Avoid any Cyanide contact with your eyes because it is very corrosive.

Risks when exposed to Sodium Cyanide

• Cyanide reacts violently with acids and causes toxic & flammable fumes.
• The most common cause of cyanide poisoning is smoke inhalation in fires (Because of the plastic and PVC products that burn in the fire).
• Cyanide reacts with aluminium, magnesium, zinc or tin and causes toxic & flammable fumes.
• When heated above 112 Degrees Celsius, highly toxic and flammable gasses are released.
• Environmental risk. Cyanide kills animals and living organisms
• Exposure to Cyanide can be fatal within 3 minutes if not immediately treated. If oxygen is administered to a patient more time is available to get professional medical help.
• Cyanide causes burns when it comes in contact with your skin depending on the duration. Also remember that absorption into the skin takes place.
• Cyanide is broken down by sun. Exposure to sunlight for a specific period of time will decompose Cyanide but it still remains poisonous.

Signs of being poisoned with Cyanide:

• Irritation of nose and throat
• Headache and dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• General weakness and tremors
• Shortness of breath / respiratory failure
• Collapse and loss of consciousness
• Eventual death if not treated immediately.

Cyanide liquid and fumes can be found at the following places:

• Inside and around storage tank vents.
• Where product was spilled near tanks, pipes and pumps.
• Near or at Cyanide dosing points at the mines.
• Near or at a Cyanide road tanker when there is a leak.

Remember the golden safety rules:

• Assess work area, activity or task before you begin (PTRA).
• Report faulty equipment immediately before proceeding.
• Ensure work area safety measures are in place (barricading must be in place and safety equipment must be available).
• Ensure activity or task can be safely executed. This means no faulty equipment or extreme weather conditions.
• Ensure fellow employees are working safely and act immediately if there is a non conformance or deviation. Always be proactive an fix problems on the plant in order to prevent incidents.