Sodium Cyanide is the solid form of sodium cyanide (NaCN, CAS 143-33-9), the industry-standard lixiviant for gold and silver recovery and a foundational reagent in electroplating and fine-chemical synthesis. Supplied as white crystalline flakes, granules or briquettes with 98% min NaCN assay, it dissolves rapidly in water to give a strongly alkaline cyanide solution, making it the preferred reagent for cyanidation leaching, metal-surface finishing and nitrile/cyanide intermediate production.
- Molecular Formula: NaCN
- UN Number : 1689
- CAS Number : 143-33-9
- Hazardous Class: 6.1
- Grade : Industrial Grade
- HS Code : 28371110
What is Sodium Cyanide?
Sodium Cyanide, also known as NaCN, is a highly toxic inorganic salt and an essential basic chemical raw material. Unlike less concentrated cyanide preparations, industrial-grade NaCN flakes appear as white, opaque crystalline granules or pills, characterized by high assay consistency and low moisture. These flakes are highly pure (≥98% NaCN, NaOH ≤0.5%, Na₂CO₃ ≤0.5%, moisture ≤0.5%), easy to dose in bulk leaching circuits, and dissolve quickly and uniformly in water. These advantages make sodium cyanide widely used in precious-metal mining (heap/tank cyanidation), electroplating baths (Cu, Zn, Cd, Ag, Au), organic synthesis (nitriles, chelating agents, pharma intermediates), steel quenching and dye-stuff intermediates. For instance, in gold mining it forms stable dicyanoaurate complexes to dissolve gold from ore; in electroplating it acts as a complexing agent that stabilizes bath chemistry and improves deposit uniformity; in the chemical industry it is the feedstock for HCN, KCN, sodium ferrocyanide and cyanuric chloride.
Technical Parameters
| Item | Specifications | Unit |
| Purity(NaCN) | 98.0 min | % |
| NaOH | 0.5 max | % |
| Na2CO3 | 0.5 max | % |
| Moisture | 0.5 max | % |
| Insoluble in water | 0.05 max | % |
Safety Is An Important Guarantee
Safety is our top priority.
To ensure your safety while using Sodium Cyanide, please be sure to download and carefully read the accompanying Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
This document provides detailed safety guidelines, including how to handle potential hazards, accident response, and proper storage methods. It will help you understand and safely use Sodium Cyanide, ensuring personal safety and environmental protection.
Export Permit Application – Required Documents
Before we can apply for the Chinese export licence for Sodium Cyanide (controlled precursor chemical under the Ministry of Commerce), the importer and end user must prepare and submit the following documents. You may download the checklist template below and return the completed package to our compliance team.
Packing Specification
- 50kg steel drums
- 1000kg wooden box
- 1100kg wooden box
Support customize the packaging materials
Standard Loading Details
- 50kg steel drums: 18mt/20fcl without pallet
- 1000kg wooden box: 20mt/20fcl with pallet
- 1100kg wooden box: 22mt/20fcl with pallet
Other Packaging
- Specified by customers
FAQ
What is the typical dosage of Sodium Cyanide in gold leaching?
The typical dosage ranges from 0.5 to 2.0 kg NaCN per tonne of ore, depending on ore grade, mineralogy and leaching circuit design. For heap leaching, consumption is often 0.5–1.0 kg/t; for agitated tank leaching, 1.0–2.0 kg/t. We recommend conducting a bottle-roll test with your specific ore sample to determine the optimal dosage.
How is Sodium Cyanide shipped and what dangerous goods documentation is required?
Sodium Cyanide is classified as UN 1689, Class 6.1, Packing Group I—an acute toxic substance. It is shipped in 50 kg steel drums with an internal protective coating, without pallets, in 20′ FCL containers (approximately 18 MT per load).Required DG documents include: Dangerous Goods Declaration, MSDS (SDS), IMDG Code compliance certificate, and Container Packing Certificate (CPC). Importers must provide a valid end-use certificate and comply with local import permits for toxic substances.
Do I need an end-use certificate or license to purchase Sodium Cyanide from Yuanlong?
Yes. As a responsible supplier, Yuanlong requires all buyers to submit a signed end-use certificate confirming the product will be used for lawful industrial purposes (gold mining, electroplating, chemical synthesis). Buyers must also hold or obtain relevant import licenses/permits for toxic chemicals in their country. Please contact our sales team with your company registration and intended application to initiate the compliance check.