The International Cyanide Management Institute (ICMI) announced today that it is seeking stakeholder comment on a change to the International Cyanide Management Code for the Manufacture, Transport and Use of Cyanide in the Production of Gold (Code) that would allow cyanide transporters and producers to be certified in compliance with the Code before they initiate operations.
The Code currently allows a gold mine that is not yet operating to be audited for certification based on its design documents, draft management plans and procedures, and other written commitments to design, construct and operate the facility consistent with the Code’s Principles and Standards of Practice. The facility is audited again after it begins operating to confirm its compliance with the Code. However, this same opportunity has not been available to cyanide producers or cyanide transporters. This makes it difficult for new cyanide repackaging operations and warehouse facilities (which are considered to be production activities under the Code) and for transporters that have not previously handled cyanide to demonstrate that they manage cyanide responsibly and can be certified under the Code, particularly in regions where most gold mines have already been certified.
ICMI’s Board of Directors intends to amend the Code to allow pre-operational certification of cyanide producers and cyanide transporters. In addition to making the necessary revisions to the Code itself, pre-operational Verification Protocols will be developed based on the existing Verification Protocols for active cyanide production and transport operations. ICMI solicits input from Code stakeholders on the advisability of such a change as well as on any related issues that should be considered as the necessary Code revisions are made.
Stakeholders wishing to comment on this proposed change are requested to provide written comments to ICMI. Please send your comments to ICMI Vice President Norm Greenwald at [email protected] by January 3, 2011.
Date:
Tuesday, November 30, 2010