Plant-Based Gold Leaching: Botanical Alternatives to Mercury and Cyanide

🌿Botanical Alternatives: Toward Safer, Evidence-Based Gold Recovery

Bruce A. Cosgrove, BSc, MSc | Independent Scientific Researcher | Publication Preprint: Research Gate | February 2026

Structured Research Record 

DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.19442.77769 → 

Structured Record:Wikidata → 

Introduction

The continued use of mercury, a potent neurotoxin in artisanal and small-scale gold mining remains one of the most persistent environmental and public-health challenges associated with mineral extraction. Despite decades of awareness, mercury-amalgamation persists due to its simplicity, low cost, and accessibility. However, growing regulatory pressure and healthconcerns have intensified the search for safer, low-toxicity alternatives.

Among the emerging approaches, applied botanical chemistry and plant-derived systems have attracted increasing attention as potential tools for mercury-free gold recovery → 

When evaluated through the lens of solution chemistry and controlled processing, these systems offer a scientifically grounded pathway toward more sustainable extraction practices.  Plant-derived lixiviants represent a transition toward non-toxic hydrometallurgical systems →   

👉 Continue Reading:Botanical Alternatives: Toward Safer, Evidence-Based Gold Recovery → 

System Context

This article is part of the Botanical Systems Formulations™ research series developed by Bruce A. Cosgrove → 

Rather than examining individual foods or botanicals in isolation, this framework explores how multiple plant-derived compounds interact through biochemical synergy, bioavailability, and delivery principles to support healthy aging, metabolic resilience, gut function, cardiovascular health, and inflammation modulation.

Each article examines one component of these integrated systems while contributing to a broader evidence-based approach to Applied Botanical Chemistry.

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🌿 The Free Formulation Protocol™ introduces the scientific principles behind Botanical Systems Formulations™, explaining how botanical selection, phytochemical interactions, bioavailability, and formulation strategy can be combined into evidence-based nutritional systems.

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