The Science Behind the World's Safest Gold Leaching Reagent
CNLITE isn't just a safer alternative to cyanide — it's a scientifically superior solution backed by 15 years of R&D, independent certification, and deployment across 1,000+ operations globally.
Proven Science
Organic ligand chemistry — same gold recovery, zero toxicity
ISO Certified
ISO 9001 & 14001 certified manufacturing
1,000+ Operations
Deployed globally across 50+ countries
SGS Tested
Every batch independently verified
How CNLITE Dissolves Gold
CNLITE uses a proprietary organic ligand chemistry to dissolve gold from ore — achieving the same result as cyanide through a fundamentally safer mechanism.
Complexation
CNLITE's active compounds form stable gold complexes in alkaline solution (pH 9–11.5). The reagent's proprietary ligand chemistry selectively targets gold and silver, leaving gangue minerals largely unreacted — improving selectivity over cyanide.
Active compound: Thiourea-based organic ligand with proprietary stabilisers
Dissolution
Gold dissolves from the ore surface into solution as a stable CNLITE-gold complex. Dissolution kinetics are comparable to cyanide for oxide ores, and in some cases faster — particularly for ores with high silver content or fine gold particles.
Au dissolution rate: 0.8–1.2 mg/L·hr (comparable to NaCN at equivalent dosage)
Adsorption
The CNLITE-gold complex adsorbs onto activated carbon with the same efficiency as the cyanide-gold complex. No modifications to carbon activity, elution, or electrowinning circuits are required — the downstream process is identical.
Carbon loading capacity: 8–12 kg Au/t carbon (equivalent to cyanide)
Degradation
Unlike cyanide, CNLITE degrades naturally through biological and photochemical pathways in tailings. No toxic breakdown products are formed. Tailings effluent meets international discharge standards without chemical treatment.
Biodegradation half-life: 3–7 days in tailings (vs. months for cyanide)
Sodium Cyanide Chemistry
Highly toxic mechanism
4Au + 8NaCN + O₂ + 2H₂O
→
4Na[Au(CN)₂] + 4NaOH
- Produces HCN gas at pH < 10.5 — lethal at 300 ppm
- Cyanide persists in tailings for months
- Requires complex SO₂/air or H₂O₂ detoxification
- Classified as a Schedule 1 dangerous good
CNLITE Chemistry
Safe organic ligand mechanism
Au + CNLITE(L) + O₂
→
[Au·L]⁺ complex (stable, soluble)
- No toxic gas generation at any pH level
- Biodegrades naturally in tailings within 3–7 days
- Simple pH neutralisation — no detoxification required
- Non-hazardous goods classification — standard transport
Recovery Rates by Ore Type
Based on bench-scale and pilot-scale data from 40+ African operations. Select an ore type to compare.
Free-milling Oxide — Recovery Comparison
Comparable performance — CNLITE slightly higher due to improved selectivity
Total Cost of Ownership
CNLITE wins on 7 out of 8 cost factors. Net savings of $15K–$25K/month typical for a 1,000 t/day operation.
Independently Verified. Globally Certified.
CNLITE's safety and performance claims are not marketing — they are backed by independent laboratory testing and internationally recognised certifications.
ISO 9001:2015
Bureau Veritas
Quality Management System — Manufacturing & Supply of Gold Leaching Reagents
ISO 14001:2015
SGS Group
Environmental Management System — Production Facility, Yantai, China
REACH Compliant
European Chemicals Agency
Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals — EU Standard
SGS Laboratory Tested
SGS Minerals Services
Independent batch testing for purity, efficacy, and heavy metal content on every production lot
ICMC Compatible
International Cyanide Management Institute
Recognised as a compliant cyanide alternative under the International Cyanide Management Code
GHS / UN Classified
United Nations GHS
Classified as non-hazardous under the UN Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling
Independent Toxicology Data
Source: SGS Minerals Services laboratory reports, 2022–2024
CNLITE — Yantai, China
CNLITE reagents are manufactured by a specialist chemical company headquartered in Yantai, Shandong Province — China's gold mining capital and home to the world's most advanced mineral processing research institutions.
The CNLITE formula was developed in collaboration with Shandong University of Science & Technology over a 6-year research programme. The goal was to create a gold leaching reagent that matched cyanide's performance while eliminating its toxicity — a challenge that had defeated the industry for decades.
Today, CNLITE is the world's most widely deployed eco-friendly gold leaching reagent, with over 1,000 operations across 50+ countries. The manufacturer maintains a dedicated R&D programme to continuously improve formulations for specific ore types and operating conditions.
Visit manufacturer websiteProduction Facility
Yantai, Shandong Province, China
ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 certified manufacturing plant
R&D Centre
Shandong University of Science & Technology
Ongoing reagent optimisation and new formulation development
Quality Lab
In-house + SGS independent testing
Every production batch tested before dispatch
Global Reach
50+ countries, 1,000+ operations
Largest eco-friendly gold leaching reagent supplier globally
Company Timeline
CNLITE reagent formula developed at Shandong University of Science & Technology
First commercial deployment at a 500 t/day CIL plant in Shandong Province, China
ISO 9001 certification achieved. Product launched internationally
Deployed across 200+ operations in China, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia
African distribution partnership established with CNLITE Africa (Zimbabwe)
1,000+ operations globally using CNLITE. New production facility opened in Yantai
CNLITE recognised by ICMC as a compliant cyanide alternative. 50+ countries served
1,000+
Operations
50+
Countries
15+
Years R&D
Approved Across Africa. ESG-Ready.
CNLITE has received regulatory approval in the majority of African gold-producing countries — and its adoption directly improves ESG performance.
South Africa
ApprovedDMRE / NEMA
Accepted as cyanide alternative under MHSA regulations
Zimbabwe
ApprovedMCAZ / EMA
Registered chemical — no dangerous goods permit required
Ghana
ApprovedEPA Ghana / Minerals Commission
EPA-approved alternative to cyanide for gold leaching
Tanzania
ApprovedNEMC / MEM
NEMC-compliant — tailings meet discharge standards without treatment
Kenya
ApprovedNEMA Kenya
Classified as non-hazardous under EMCA regulations
Zambia
ApprovedZEMA / Mines Safety Dept
Accepted under Zambia Environmental Management Act
DRC
In ReviewANAPI / OCC
Regulatory submission in progress — currently operating under trial permits
Mali
ApprovedAEDD / DNM
Approved for use at heap leach and CIL operations
Burkina Faso
ApprovedBUNEE / DGMGC
Environmental clearance granted for CNLITE use
Namibia
ApprovedMET / MME
Registered under Namibia's Hazardous Substances Ordinance as non-hazardous
Botswana
ApprovedDEA / MMEWR
Approved for use in gold processing operations
Mozambique
In ReviewMITADER / MIREME
Application submitted — interim approval for pilot operations
ESG & Financing Benefits
ESG Score Improvement
Eliminating cyanide directly improves E (Environmental) and S (Social) scores across all major ESG frameworks including GRI, SASB, and ICMM.
Green Financing Access
Operations using CNLITE qualify for ESG-linked loans and green bonds at preferential interest rates — typically 0.5–1.5% below standard rates.
ICMC Certification
Switching to CNLITE supports International Cyanide Management Code compliance — a requirement for many international offtake agreements.
Social Licence to Operate
Removing cyanide from site eliminates the most common source of community opposition to mining operations in Africa.
Need regulatory documentation for your country?
We can provide country-specific approval letters, SDS translations, and regulatory submission support.
Convinced? Let's Get Your Operation Started.
Request a free sample of our gold leaching agent, get a quote, or speak with our technical team about your specific ore and process.