The International Cyanide Management Institute (ICMI) announced today that it has accepted the applications of Acacia Mining Plc and Evolution Mining (Cowal) Pty Ltd to become signatories to the International Cyanide Management Code for the Manufacture, Transport and Use of Cyanide in the Production of Gold (Cyanide Code). The Cyanide Code is a voluntary industry program for companies involved in the production of gold using cyanide and companies manufacturing and transporting this cyanide. Acacia Mining operates three gold mines in Tanzania, and Evolution Mining (Cowal) operates the Cowal gold mine in Australia. All four mines are presently certified in compliance with the Cyanide Code.
Acacia Mining (formerly African Barrick Gold Plc) has been participating in the Cyanide Code program since 2007 through its majority shareholder, Cyanide Code signatory Barrick Gold Corporation, and its application is recognition that it is an independent company. Evolution Mining acquired the Cowal Mine from Barrick Gold Corporation earlier this year. By becoming signatories, Acacia Mining and Evolution Mining (Cowal) commit to continue following the Cyanide Code’s Principles and implementing its Standards of Practice, and to have verification audits of their respective operations conducted by independent third-party auditors within three years of their last certifications, and every three years thereafter. Operations are certified if found in compliance with the Cyanide Code and de-certified if an auditor determines that they no longer comply with the Cyanide Code.
The Cyanide Code was developed under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme by a multi-stakeholder Steering Committee. The Cyanide Code is intended to complement an operation’s existing obligation to comply with the applicable laws and regulations of the political jurisdiction in which the operation is located.
ICMI has been established to administer the Cyanide Code, promote its adoption, evaluate its implementation, and manage the certification process. A detailed list of the operations covered by signatory companies’ applications, along with the full text of the Cyanide Code and its implementing and administrative documents, are available at www.cyanidecode.org.
Date:
Wednesday, November 25, 2015