About the Journal
In Memory of Professor Jerzy Radecki
Ownership and Management Statement
Editorial Office
Editorial Board
Scope
Impact Factor
Indexed by
Journal Impact Factor contributing items
Publication Frequency
Revenue Sources & Business Model
Contact
Subscription
Current issue
Online first
Instructions for Authors
Copyright & Licensing
Publication Fees
Editorial policies
Publication Policy Overview
Peer Review Policy
Research Ethics and Malpractice Policy
Plagiarism Policy
Conflict of Interest Policy
Open Access Policy
Instructions for Reviewers
Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies Policy
Advertising Policy
Direct Marketing & Manuscript Solicitation
Digital Archiving and Preservation Policy
CrossMark, Correction, and Retraction Policy
Archive
Publication Fees
Copyright & Licensing
Editorial policies
Publication Policy Overview
Peer Review Policy
Research Ethics and Malpractice Policy
Plagiarism Policy
Conflict of Interest Policy
Open Access Policy
Instructions for Reviewers
Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies Policy
Advertising Policy
Direct Marketing & Manuscript Solicitation
Digital Archiving and Preservation Policy
CrossMark, Correction, and Retraction Policy
eISSN: 2083-5906
ISSN: 1230-1485
ISSN: 1230-1485
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Response Surface Methodological (RSM)
Approach for Optimizing Free Cyanide
Destruction from Gold Cyanidation Waste
in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining
using Sulfur Dioxide and Air Process
1
Research Center for Mining Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), KST B.J. Habibie,
Puspiptek, Serpong, 15314 Tangerang Selatan, Indonesia
2
Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil, Planning and Geo Engineering,
Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Keputih, Sukolilo, 60111 Surabaya, Indonesia
Submission date: 2024-06-07
Final revision date: 2024-08-02
Acceptance date: 2024-08-15
Online publication date: 2024-12-04
Publication date: 2025-08-20
Corresponding author
Harmin Sulistiyaning Titah
Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil, Planning and Geo Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, 60111, Surabaya, Indonesia
Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil, Planning and Geo Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, 60111, Surabaya, Indonesia
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2025;34(5):6307-6322
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Indonesia has transitioned from using mercury
to cyanidation, but the treatment of cyanide waste remains unaddressed, posing environmental
and health risks. This research aimed to optimize the destruction of free cyanide in gold processing
waste using the sulfur dioxide and air processes catalyzed by copper, employing a response surface
methodology (RSM). The cyanide waste destruction process was conducted in laboratory-scale aeration
system reactors with fixed variables: an initial pH of 9.48±0.065, maintained at pH 8, dissolved oxygen
levels of 4.21±0.73 mg/L, and a temperature of 28.82±0.89°C. Independent variables of the process
were determined to be an SO2/CN- weight ratio of 10, a copper (II) catalyst concentration of 50 mg/L,
and a processing time of 4 hours. These parameters effectively reduced free cyanide from 200 mg/L to
less than 0.5 mg/L, meeting the strict environmental standards set by the Indonesian Government. This
method utilizes readily available materials and equipment, aligning with the knowledge level of ASGM
operators and supported by local resources. The findings contribute to addressing the environmental
and health risks associated with cyanide waste in the ASGM sector in Indonesia.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
REFERENCES (61)
1.
YOSHIMURA A., SUEMASU K., VEIGA M.M. Estimation of Mercury Losses and Gold Production by Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM). Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy, 7, 1045, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40831....
2.
MISERENDINO R.A., GUIMARÃES J.R.D., SCHUDEL G., GHOSH S., GODOY J.M., SILBERGELD E.K., LEES P.S.J., BERGQUIST B.A. Mercury pollution in Amapá, Brazil: Mercury amalgamation in artisanal and small-scale gold mining or land-cover and land-use changes? ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, 2 (5), 441, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsear....
3.
SOE P.S., KYAW W.T., ARIZONO K., ISHIBASHI Y., AGUSA T. Mercury pollution from artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Myanmar and Other Southeast Asian Countries. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (6290), 1, 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph... PMid:35627826 PMCid:PMC9142007.
4.
ZOLNIKOV T.R., ORTIZ D.R. A systematic review on the management and treatment of mercury in artisanal gold mining. Science of the Total Environment, 633, 816, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scit... PMid:29602119.
5.
MEUTIA A.A., LUMOWA R., SAKAKIBARA M. Indonesian Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining: A Narrative Literature Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (3955), 1, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph... PMid:35409639 PMCid:PMC8997897.
6.
ESDAILE L.J., CHALKER J.M. The mercury problem in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. Chemistry - A European Journal, 24 (27), 6905, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.2... PMid:29314284 PMCid:PMC5969110.
7.
CALAO-RAMOS C., BRAVO A.G., PATERNINA-URIBE R., MARRUGO-NEGRETE J., DÍEZ S. Occupational human exposure to mercury in artisanal small-scale gold mining communities of Colombia. Environment International, 146 (106216), 1, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envi... PMid:33181411.
8.
BUDIHARDJO M.A., WIBOWO Y.G., RAMADAN B.S., SERUNTING M.A., YOHANA E., SYAFRUDIN. Mercury removal using modified activated carbon of peat soil and coal in simulated landfill leachate. Environmental Technology and Innovation, 24 (102022), 1, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.....
9.
RAHMAWATI D., ADIANSYAH J.S. An overview of remediation technology for mercury-contaminated sediment in Sekotong Sub District, Lombok, Indonesia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 413 (012017), 1, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1....
10.
WANG L., HOU D., CAO Y., OK Y.S., TACK F.M.G., RINKLEBE J., O'CONNOR D. Remediation of mercury-contaminated soil, water, and air: A review of emerging materials and innovative technologies. Environment International, 134 (105281), 1, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envi... PMid:31726360.
11.
QUINTANILLA-VILLANUEVA G.E., VILLANUEVA-RODRÍGUEZ M., GUZMÁN-MAR J.L., TORRES-GAYTAN D.E., HERNÁNDEZ-RAMÍREZ A., OROZCO-RIVERA G., HINOJOSA-REYES L. Mobility and speciation of mercury in soils from a mining zone in Villa Hidalgo, SLP, Mexico: A preliminary risk assessment. Applied Geochemistry, 122 (104746), 1, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apge....
12.
TIBAU A.V., GRUBE B.D. Mercury contamination from dental amalgam review. Journal of Health & Pollution, 9 (22), 1, 2019. https://doi.org/10.5696/2156-9... PMid:31259088 PMCid:PMC6555253.
13.
KOSAI S., NAKAJIMA K., YAMASUE E. Mercury mitigation and unintended consequences in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 188 (106708), 1, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resc....
14.
DRACE K., KIEFER A.M., VEIGA M.M. Cyanidation of Mercury-Contaminated Tailings: Potential Health Effects and Environmental Justice. Current Environmental Health Reports, 3, 443, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572... PMid:27696224.
15.
MALONE A., FIGUEROA L., WANG W., SMITH N.M., RANVILLE J.F., VUONO D.C., ZAPATA F.D.A., PAREDES L.M., SHARP J.O., BELLONA C. Transitional dynamics from mercury to cyanide-based processing in artisanal and small-scale gold mining: Social, economic, geochemical, and environmental considerations. Science of the Total Environment, 898 (165492), 1, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scit... PMid:37453708.
16.
VERBRUGGE B., LANZANO C., LIBASSI M. The cyanide revolution: Efficiency gains and exclusion in artisanal- and small-scale gold mining. Geoforum, 126, 267, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geof....
17.
WHITEHOUSE A.E., POSEY H.H., GILLIS T.D., LONG M.B., MULYANA A.A.S. Mercury discharges from small scale gold mines in North Sulawesi, Indonesia: Managing a change from mercury to cyanide. 7th International Conference on Acid Rock Drainage 2006, ICARD – Also Serves as the 23rd Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation (ASMR), 2354, 2006. https://doi.org/10.21000/JASMR....
18.
KRISNAYANTI B.D., ANDERSON C.W.N., UTOMO W.H., FENG X., HANDAYANTO E., MUDARISNA N., IKRAM H., KHUSUSIAH. Assessment of environmental mercury discharge at a four-year-old artisanal gold mining area on Lombok Island, Indonesia. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 14 (10), 2598, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1039/c2em30... PMid:22914762.
19.
SPIEGEL S.J., AGRAWAL S., MIKHA D., VITAMERRY K., LE BILLON P., VEIGA M., KONOLIUS K., PAUL B. Phasing out mercury? Ecological economics and Indonesia's small-scale gold mining sector. Ecological Economics, 144, 1, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecol....
20.
FARROKHI M., YANG J., LEE S., SHIRZAD-SIBONI M. Effect of organic matter on cyanide removal by illuminated titanium dioxide or zinc oxide nanoparticles. Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering, 11 (23), 1, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-3... PMid:24499704 PMCid:PMC4176310.
21.
RITCEY G.M. Tailings management in gold plants. Hydrometallurgy, 78, 3, 2005. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hydr....
22.
AENDO P., GARINE-WICHATITSKY M.D.E., MINGKHWAN R., SENACHAI K., SANTATIVONGCHAI P., KRAJANGLIKIT P., TULAYAKUL P. Potential Health Effects of Heavy Metals and Carcinogenic Health Risk Estimation of Pb and Cd Contaminated Eggs from a Closed Gold Mine Area in Northern Thailand. Foods, 11 (2791), 1, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods1... PMid:36140919 PMCid:PMC9498197.
23.
RAKETE S., MOONGA G., WAHL A., MAMBREY V., SHOKO D., MOYO D., MUTETI-FANA S., TOBOLLIK M., STECKLING-MUSCHACK N., BOSE-O'REILLY S. Biomonitoring of arsenic, cadmium and lead in two artisanal and small-scale gold mining areas in Zimbabwe. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29, 4762, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356... PMid:34409536 PMCid:PMC8741681.
24.
WONGSASULUK P., TUN A.Z., CHOTPANTARAT S., SIRIWONG W. Related health risk assessment of exposure to arsenic and some heavy metals in gold mines in Banmauk Township, Myanmar. Scientific Reports, 11 (22843), 1, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598... PMid:34819590 PMCid:PMC8613182.
25.
KNOBLAUCH A.M., ZANETTI J., FARNHAM A., MÜLLER S., JEAN-RICHARD V., UTZINGER J., WEHRLI B., BRUGGER F., DIAGBOUGA S., WINKLER M.S. Potential health effects of cyanide use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Burkina Faso. Journal of Cleaner Production, 252 (119689), 1, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcle....
26.
RAZANAMAHANDRY L.C., KAROUI H., ANDRIANISA H.A., YACOUBA H. Bioremediation of soil and water polluted by cyanide: A review. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 11 (6), 272, 2017. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJEST2....
27.
FIKRI E., FIRMANSYAH Y.W., AFIFAH A.S., FAUZI M. The Existence of Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining in Indonesia, the Impact of Public Health and Environmental Sustainability: a Narrative Review. Journal of Environmental Health, 15 (2), 99, 2023. https://doi.org/10.20473/jkl.v....
28.
MEUTIA A.A., BACHRIADI D., GAFUR N.A. Environment Degradation, Health Threats, and Legality at the Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining Sites in Indonesia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20 (6774), 1, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph... PMid:37754633 PMCid:PMC10531021.
29.
HOU D., LIU L., YANG Q., ZHANG B., QIU H., RUAN S., CHEN Y., LI H. Decomposition of cyanide from gold leaching tailings by using sodium metabisulphite and hydrogen peroxide. Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, 1, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/5....
30.
MAJALIS A.N., MOHAR R.S., NOVITASARI Y., HARDIANTI A. Processing of gold ore cyanidation tailings by oxidation-precipitation process under batch conditions on a laboratory scale. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 20, 757, 2022. https://doi.org/10.14710/jil.2....
31.
XIONG Q., JIANG S., FANG R., CHEN L., LIU S., LIU Y., YIN S. An environmental-friendly approach to remove cyanide in gold smelting pulp by chlorination aided and corncob biochar: Performance and mechanisms. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 408 (124465), 1, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhaz... PMid:33191029.
32.
KUYUCAK N., AKCIL A. Cyanide and removal options from effluents in gold mining and metallurgical processes. Minerals Engineering, 50–51, 13, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mine....
33.
ANNING C., WANG J., CHEN P., BATMUNKH I. Determination and detoxification of cyanide in gold mine tailings: A review. Waste Management & Research, 37, 1, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1177/073424... PMid:31603399.
34.
KHODADAD A., TEIMOURY P., SAMIEE A. Detoxification of cyanide in a gold processing plant tailings water using calcium and sodium hypochlorite. Mine Water Environ, 27, 52, 2008. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230....
35.
ALVILLO-RIVERA A.J., GARRIDO-HOYOS S.E., ROSANO-ORTEGA G. Optimization of factors for the biological treatment of free and complexed cyanide. Processes, 11 (2063), 1, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr1107....
36.
FREITAS J., HORTA D. Impacts of cyanide in gold mining and cyanide removal methodologies in liquid waste from gold processing. Revista de Metalurgia, 59 (3), e247, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3989/revmet....
37.
KWOFIE I.A., JOGAND H., DE LADURANTAYE M.-N., DALE C. Removal of cyanide and other nitrogen-based compounds from gold mine effluents using moving bed biofilm (MBBBR). Water, 13 (3370), 1, 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13233....
38.
LONG H., XIANGLONG F., XIN Z., BO X., TONGJUN C. Experimental analysis on cyanide removal of gold tailings under medium-temperature roasting. Scientific Reports, 13 (3831), 1, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598... PMid:36882442 PMCid:PMC9992657.
39.
JANKOWSKKI K.R.B., FLANNELLY K.J., FLANNELLY L.T. The t-test: An Influential Inferential Tool in Chaplaincy and Other Healthcare Research. Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, 0, 1, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1080/088547... PMid:28622103.
40.
SEELAN K.J., RAJESH R.R., PUGAZHENDHI S., LIJI R.F. Rsm and Anova: An Approach for Selection of Process Parameters of Edm of Aluminium Titanium Diboride. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), 8 (6), 241, 2017.
41.
DUTTA P., MANDAL S., KUMAR S. Comparative study: FPA based response surface methodology & ANOVA for the parameter optimization in process control. Advances in Modelling and Analysis C, 73 (1), 23, 2018. https://doi.org/10.18280/ama_c....
42.
VENKATARAMAN V., RAGHAVENDRA P., D’SOUZA M., HOLLA N., JAGADISH N. Design of experiment approach to identify optimal parameters for boring operation and tool life improvement for piston pins. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1059 (012044), 1, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-8....
43.
KUMAR N., SHARMA J., KUMAR G., SHRIVASTAV A.K., TIWARI N., BEGUM A., CHAKRABARTI R. Evaluation of nutritional value of prickly chaff flower (Achyranthesaspera) as fish feed ingredient. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 91 (3), 239, 2021. https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans....
44.
KUMAR G., SHARMA J.G., GOSWAMI R.K., SHRIVASTAV A.K., TOCHER D.R., KUMAR N., CHAKRABARTI R. Freshwater Macrophytes: A Potential Source of Minerals and Fatty Acids for Fish, Poultry, and Livestock. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9 (869425), 1, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2... PMid:35479737 PMCid:PMC9036174.
45.
ALAEI R., JAVANSHIR S., BEHNAMFARD A. Treatment of gold ore cyanidation wastewater by adsorption onto a Hydrotalcite-type anionic clay as a novel adsorbent. Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering, 18, 779, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40201... PMid:33312602 PMCid:PMC7721945.
46.
DASH R.R., BALOMAJUMDER C., KUMAR A. Removal of Cyanide from Water and Wastewater Using Granular Activated Carbon. Chemical Engineering Journal, 146 (2009), 408, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.....
47.
MPONGWANA N., NTWAMPE S.K.O., RAZANAMAHANDRY L.C., CHIDI B.S., OMODANISI E.I. Predictive capability of response surface methodology and cybernetic models for cyanogenic simultaneous nitrification and aerobic denitrification facilitated by cyanide-resistant bacteria. Environmental Engineering Research, 26 (6), 200346, 1, 2021. https://doi.org/10.4491/eer.20....
48.
MIRIZADEH S., YAGHMAEI S., NEJAD Z.G. Biodegradation of cyanide by a new isolated strain under alkaline conditions and optimization by response surface methodology (RSM). Journal of Environmental Health Science & Engineering, 12 (85), 1, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-3... PMid:24921051 PMCid:PMC4036835.
49.
PALANIKUMAR K. Introductory Chapter: Response Surface Methodology in Engineering Science. IntechOpen, 1, 2021. https://doi.org/10.5772/intech... PMid:34172723 PMCid:PMC8233319.
50.
ZHOU B., WANG T., LI C., FUA J., ZHANG Z., SONG Z., MA C. Multi-objective optimization of the preparation parameters of the powdered activated coke for SO2 adsorption using response surface methodology. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 146 (2020), 104776, 1, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap....
51.
RABIEE F., MAHANPOOR K. Catalytic oxidation of SO2 by novel Mn/copper slag nanocatalyst and optimization by Box‑Behnken design. International Journal of Industrial Chemistry, 9 (2018), 27, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40090....
52.
Minister Of State Environment of The Republic of Indonesia. Decree of the Minister of Environment of the Republic of Indonesia No. 202 of 2004, Wastewater quality standards for business entities engaged in gold and/or copper ore mining activities. (in Indonesian). Available online: https://luk.staff.ugm.ac.id/at....
53.
BOTZ M.M., MUDDER T.I., AKCIL A. Chapter 36 Cyanide treatment: Physical, chemical and biological processes. In The Chemistry and Treatment of Cyanidation Wastes, Second edition, Mining Journal Books Limited, London, 5, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0....
54.
MAJALIS A.N., LUSIANI S., NOVITASARI Y. The process to reduce free cyanide concentration in wastewater from small-scale gold mining. Journal of Environmental Technology, 20 (1), 73, 2019. https://doi.org/10.29122/jtl.v....
55.
MONTGOMERY D.C. Design and Analysis of Experiments, Eighth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Danvers, USA, 2013.
56.
Design Expert® Software, Stat-Ease, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA, Version 23. Available online: www.statease.com.
57.
BREUER P.L., HEWITT D.M. INCO Cyanide destruction insights from plant reviews and laboratory evaluations. Mineral Processing Extractive Metallurgy, 129 (1), 104, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1080/257266....
58.
KAMRANI M.S., SEIFPANAHI-SHABANI K., SEYED-HAKIMI A., ALI G.A.M., AGARWA S., GUPTA V.K. Degradation of cyanide from gold processing effluent by H2O2, NaClO and Ca(ClO)2 combined with sequential catalytic process. Bulgarian Chemical Communications, 51 (3), 384, 2019. https://doi.org/10.34049/bcc.5....
59.
KIM T.K., KIM T., JO A., PARK S., CHOI K., ZOH K.D. Degradation mechanism of cyanide in water using a UV-LED/H2O2/Cu2+ system. Chemosphere, 208, 441, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chem... PMid:29886332.
60.
MEDIAVILLA J.J.V., PEREZ B.F., DE CORDOBA M.C.F., ESPINA J.A., ANIA C.O. Photochemical degradation of cyanides and thiocyanates from an industrial wastewater. Molecules, 24 (1373), 1, 2019. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecu... PMid:30965653 PMCid:PMC6480199.
61.
VUONO D.C., VANNESTE J., FIGUEROA L.A., HAMMER V., AGUILAR-HUAYLLA F.N., MALONE A., SMITH N.M., GARCIA-CHEVESICH P.A., BOLAÑOS-SOSA H.G., ALEJO-ZAPATA F.D., POLANCO-CORNEJO H.G., BELLONA C. Photocatalytic Advanced Oxidation processes for neutralizing free cyanide in gold processing effluents in Arequipa, Southern Peru. Sustainability, 13 (9873), 1, 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/su1317....
Share
RELATED ARTICLE
| eISSN: | 2083-5906 |
| ISSN: | 1230-1485 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
