cyanide process

American  

noun

1. a process for extracting gold or silver from ore by dissolving the ore in an alkaline solution of sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide and precipitating the gold or silver from the solution.

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cyanide process British  

noun

1. Also called: cyaniding.  a process for recovering gold and silver from ores by treatment with a weak solution of sodium cyanide

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Etymology

Origin of cyanide process

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

By the cyanide process, i.e. dissolving the gold in potassium cyanide solution, and then precipitating the metal; 5.

From Project Gutenberg

The cyanide process, introduced about 1890, is now one of the most important factors in the utilization of low-grade and refractory gold and silver ores.

From Project Gutenberg

Again the milling results were not good, and what it demanded was the cyanide process.

From Project Gutenberg

In the extraction of gold and silver from their ores by amalgamation, large amounts of metallic mercury have been utilized, but of late years the wide application of the cyanide process has decreased this use.

From Project Gutenberg

At the time that the outcrop in the Rand become exhausted, what is today known as the "cyanide process" had never been used in that part of the world.

From Project Gutenberg