| Recent Scientific Publications and Articles |

A Review and Sustainable Alternative to Sodium-Based and Cyanide-Containing Gold Leaching Agents - Glycine–Thiosulfate Hybrid System (Sustainable Technology eJournal - Research Paper - November 2025).

This research advances sustainable hydrometallurgy by developing and validating a glycine–thiosulfate hybrid leaching system as a non-toxic, cyanide- and mercury-free alternative for gold extraction. The study demonstrates that this hybrid system achieves high gold recovery efficiency under mild pH and temperature conditions while minimizing reagent consumption and environmental impact. 

Through detailed solution chemistry analysis, the work clarifies the stable coordination behavior of gold complexes in mixed amino-thiosulfate media, supporting its adaptability to existing processing circuits such as Merrill-Crowe or carbon adsorption.

This innovation directly supports the global phase-out of mercury and cyanide under the Minamata Convention and planetGOLD initiatives, providing an economically viable and scalable pathway for artisanal, small-scale, and industrial mining sectors. By eliminating highly toxic reagents, the glycine–thiosulfate hybrid system promotes responsible gold production, environmental stewardship, and human health protection, advancing key UN Sustainable Development Goals.

An Examination, Solution, and Transformative Strategy to Replace Mercury and Cyanide Salts in Artisanal Small-Scale Mining (ASM): Southern Ecuador.(Environmental Chemistry eJournal - Research Paper - January 2025).

This research presents a 4-stage ESG-aligned transformative strategy designed to replace mercury- a potent neurotoxin and synthetic cyanide salts used by artisanal and small-scale gold (ASG) miners to recover gold from ore and toxic tailings  with Manipueira in Ecuador's Portovelo-Zaruma mining district. 

Manipueira, an extract solution from the cyanogenic bitter cassava plant when used as a lixiviant (leaching agent), has been scientifically documented to sustainably recover greater than 99.3% of gold from ore concentrates and 99.6% from mercury-contaminated tailings in just two hours (Marcello M. Veiga & Pariya Torkaman, 2021). Manipueira advances safe, sustainable gold recovery, reduces neurotoxic exposure, and promotes circular-economy practices.