Cassava-derived Lixiviant: Sustainable Gold Recovery Using Manipueira
An Examination, Solution, and Transformative Strategy to Replace Mercury and Cyanide Salts in Artisanal Small-Scale Mining (ASM): Southern Ecuador
Authors: Bruce A. Cosgrove & Moreno-Chavez, J.,| Environmental Chemistry eJournal | January 31, 2025 |
DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.5049829
Manipueira, the liquid byproduct of cassava (Manihot esculenta) processing, contains cyanogenic glycosides—primarily linamarin—which hydrolyze to release hydrogen cyanide under aqueous conditions.
This study evaluates Manipueira as a functional natural lixiviant for gold mobilization in artisanal mining systems, providing a viable alternative to mercury amalgamation and synthetic cyanide salts.
When applied within controlled processing frameworks, this plant-derived system enables targeted gold dissolution while reducing toxic exposure and environmental contamination. The four-stage ESG-aligned framework developed for the Portovelo–Zaruma Mining District, Ecuador, demonstrates a scalable pathway for implementation.
👉 These results demonstrate how botanical extraction systems can be applied to controlled mineral processing for efficient, low-toxicity gold recovery →
The complete article with references can be accessed here 👉 An Examination, Solution, and Transformative Strategy to Replace Mercury and Cyanide Salts in Artisanal Small-Scale Mining (ASM): Southern Ecuador →
### Scientific Interpretation
This analysis aligns with a broader botanical extraction systems framework, where plant-derived compounds are structured and applied to interact with chemical environments and remove, bind, or mobilize target materials.