The "pregnant solution" (i.e. the mixture of cyanide, gold, and other
metals) is taken to a processing plant for chemical treatment and
separation. Recall from earlier that the production of a single gold
ring takes several tons of ore. Once the gold has been separated, the
waste material (called tailings), must be dumped.
These tailings include the cyanide used during the heap leaching process
as well as other harmful hard metals. They are often dumped into the
environment, which causes additional problems for the surrounding
ecosystem. This process will defenaltly pollute nearby water resources
and will of cource have a tremendous negative impact on all living
creatures living near the mining area.
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