Standardization News

The International Cyanide Management Code covers the proper handling of cyanide from production, transportation to processing sites and design of cyanide facilities, including detoxification, storage and release of excess cyanide processing waters. A proposed new ASTM International standard will assist users of cyanide analysis methods who want to work in compliance with the code.

WK27288, Guide for Cyanide Analysis Methods for International Cyanide Management Code Compliance, is being developed by Subcommittee D19.06 on Methods for Analysis for Organic Substances in Water, part of ASTM International Committee D19 on Water.The analytical methods covered in WK27288 are used in conjunction with the code to measure cyanide concentrations in solution to control and optimize the use of cyanide in the gold leaching process, to protect wildlife when solutions and slurries are released into open impoundment facilities, to define the concentration needed to qualify as a process solution for handling purposes and to protect human heath and aquatic wildlife from environmental releases for treated excess water from processing operations.

"WK27288 will help users to select the proper sampling, preservation and analysis procedures for managing cyanidation processes and to select the proper equipment and reagents for processing samples," says William Lipps, product specialist, OI Analytical, and chairman of the D19.06 task group that is developing the proposed new standard.Participation is welcome in the further development of WK27288, particularly from plant operators and cyanide code auditors. More information on the International Cyanide Management Code can be found at www.cyanidecode.org.

CONTACT Technical Information: William Lipps, OI Analytical • College Station, Texas • Phone: 979-690-1711 • E-mail: wlipps@oico.com O ASTM Staff: Brynn Murphy • Phone: 610-832-9640 • E-mail: bmurphy@astm.org O Upcoming Meeting: June 6-9 • June Committee Week • St. Louis, Mo.