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5.1.1.1 Sodium Cyanide (Granular) <br /> Description: Sodium cyanide is a mill reagent, used for pyrite, chalcopyrite, lead and copper <br /> depression. It is used in the grinding and flotation phase of the milling operation. Sodium <br /> cyanide is a highly toxic chemical and special precautions are required when cleaning up a spill. <br /> Sodium cyanide should be isolated from acids and water because cyanide gas can be formed and <br /> liberated when mixed with water and acid. <br /> Location: Granular sodium cyanide is stored in the cyanide storage and mixing room located on <br /> the northwest end of the Regrind Tunnel. See Figures 1 and 2. <br /> Spill Potential: Possible when moving drums. <br /> Potential Volume Spilled: Most likely one drum would be the maximum amount spilled. <br /> Prevention and Control: Granular cyanide spills are prevented and controlled by (1) operator <br /> care and caution when moving drums, and (2) a containment berm inside the storage and mixing <br /> room. <br /> Countermeasures: (1) Avoid breathing dust and avoid skin contact from a granular spill. (2) <br /> Since the floor of the storage area is kept clean, the spill responder should use a clean shovel, <br /> scoop the material into a clean, dry container and remove it from the spill area. (3) In the <br /> unlikely event granular sodium cyanide comes into contact with water or acid, it can be <br /> neutralized with caustic and hypochlorite, but this should be undertaken only by trained <br /> personnel with appropriate personal protective equipment and using fans to disperse vapors. <br /> Nearest Clean-up Equipment: A spill control kit is located in the west end of the mill, adjacent <br /> to the Regrind Area and Pebble Lime Storage. See Figure 2. Clean shovels and dry containers <br /> are available in the cyanide storage room. A barrel of caustic soda beads is onhand in the <br /> cyanide storage and mixing room, and hypochlorite is available at the Domestic Water Treatment <br /> Plant. <br /> Monitoring: Checked daily during operation of mill; inspected weekly during shutdown. <br /> Reporting: Ruptured drums and clean-ups amounting to more than ten pounds should be <br /> written up on the attached "Spill Incident Form" (see Appendix 1) and given to the <br /> Environmental Coordinator immediately. Although extremely unlikely, major spills of granular <br /> cyanide threatening waters of the State are subject to the reporting requirements given in Section <br /> 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4. Sodium cyanide has a reportable quantity of ten pounds and is a "P" listed <br /> hazardous material. <br /> 10 <br />