Evonik officially opened a CyPlus Idesa sodium cyanide production plant with an inauguration ceremony in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico. CyPlus Idesa is a joint venture between Evonik and Grupo IDESA. Mining operations in the gold and silver mining industry use sodium cyanide to extract precious metals from the mineral. Mexico is the number one producer of silver in the world and ranks among the top 15 producers of gold worldwide.

The sodium cyanide plant has a capacity of 40,000 metric tons and uses state-of-the-art hydrocyanic acid and cyanide technologies. Special attention was dedicated to the compliance of all environmental and safety regulations ensuring that production of sodium cyanide complies with the provisions of the “International Cyanide Management Code” (ICMC).

Evonik has brought production technology and process know how to the joint project. Grupo IDESA made key contributions based on its more than sixty years of experience in the Mexican chemical sector.

• Evonik Industries, Essen, Germany
• Grupo IDESA, Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico