10:07 | Lima, Jan. 09 (ANDINA).
A project that turns mining residue into recycled bricks has received funding from the ministry of production’s Research and Development Fund for Competitiveness (FIDECOM).
The project, which was developed by the San Pablo Catholic University of Arequipa, will include a prototype plant that would produce bricks made out of the cyanide residue that is left from the processing of gold.
Miguel Barreda de la Cruz, a professor at the San Pablo Catholic University of Arequipa and one of the authors behind the project, said the recycled bricks comply with all quality, environmental, and safety standards, Peruthisweek.com reported quoting Andina news agency.
"Cyanide is one of the most widely used compounds in gold processing, but it is more manageable and less risky than mercury, it is only lethal when ingested or inhaled in large quantities,” Barreda said.
“This research is an important contribution to reducing pollution from solid and liquid waste that comes from artisanal mining,” he added.
The project, Barreda said, will receive 150,000 soles in funding from the state, in order to design and implement a prototype plant, which would be able to process one ton of residue daily.
Published: 1/9/2013