Scientists discover new non-toxic gold mining method
Researchers at Northwestern University in Illinois have discovered a new method for mining gold which is inexpensive and non-toxic, reports Phys.org.
Instead of cyanide, the procedure uses cornstarch to separate gold from raw materials. It can also be used on consumer electronic waste to recover the gold from them.
The research team found the method by accident during laboratory testing.
A university spokesman said the elimination of poisonous cyanide from the gold industry is of utmost environmental importance.
Most gold miners currently use the toxic leaching process to isolate the yellow metal from the ore.
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