Draslovka and Barrick Gold Revolutionize Mining with Glycine Leaching Technology, Slash Cyanide Use by 80%

Draslovka's GlyCat technology, implemented at Barrick Gold's Bulyanhulu mine, offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution for gold mining, reducing cyanide consumption by 80% while maintaining high recovery rates. This strategic partnership sets new standards for responsible mining practices worldwide.

Ebenezer Mensah
29 Feb 2024


Draslovka, a pioneer in sustainability-driven technologies, has initiated the commercial deployment of its groundbreaking Glycine Leaching Technology (GlyCat) at Barrick Gold Corporation's Bulyanhulu mine in Tanzania. This landmark move is part of a broader strategic alliance aimed at enhancing mining sustainability and efficiency across the globe.

Revolutionizing Gold Mining with GlyCat

The adoption of GlyCat technology at the Bulyanhulu Gold Mine signifies a monumental shift towards more sustainable and cost-effective mining practices. Glycine Leaching Technology (GLT), leveraging glycine, a non-toxic and biodegradable amino acid, promises a substantial reduction in cyanide consumption by 80% without compromising gold recovery rates. This innovation not only aligns with the industry's growing emphasis on environmental responsibility but also presents significant economic advantages by lowering detoxification requirements and expenses. Read more about the GlyCat technology and its benefits.

Strategic Partnership for a Sustainable Future

The collaboration between Draslovka and Barrick Gold Corporation extends beyond the implementation of GlyCat. It encompasses a comprehensive testing program slated for 2024 across various mining sites. This partnership reflects both entities' dedication to setting new benchmarks for responsible mining practices worldwide. Barrick Gold's commitment to environmental sustainability and operational efficiency is well-documented, with the company posting positive earnings and achieving a production record in 2022. Furthermore, it has recently entered into a significant agreement with federal and Balochistan governments for a new mining project, underscoring its leadership in the global mining sector. Discover more about Barrick Gold's recent achievements and future plans.

Implications for the Mining Industry

The successful application of GlyCat technology at Bulyanhulu and the subsequent expansion of its use across Barrick’s operations could potentially set a new industry standard for gold and metal recovery processes. By demonstrating that it is possible to maintain high recovery rates while significantly reducing the environmental impact and operational costs, Draslovka and Barrick are leading the way toward a more sustainable and economically viable mining future. This partnership not only highlights the practical benefits of Glycine Leaching Technology but also reinforces the mining industry's capacity for innovation and adaptability in response to global sustainability challenges.

As the mining industry continues to evolve, the integration of environmentally friendly technologies like GlyCat could play a pivotal role in shaping its future. The collaboration between Draslovka and Barrick Gold Corporation exemplifies the potential for strategic partnerships to drive significant progress in operational efficiency, cost reduction, and environmental stewardship. As such, this development is not just a win for the involved companies but a beacon of hope for the broader mining sector striving towards sustainability and responsible resource extraction.

Draslovka and Barrick Gold Commence Commercial Use of Glycine Leaching Technology for Gold Mining

• Commercial use of GlyCat™ at Barrick’s Buylanhulu operation in Tanzania

• 80% reduction in cyanide consumption with no change to recoveries

• Strategic partnership to include broader testing programme spanning
•  multiple sites

February 29, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

PRAGUE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Draslovka a.s ("Draslovka"), a provider of sustainability-led technologies, reagents and services for mining and the energy transition, has progressed its previously announced partnership with Barrick Gold Corporation ("Barrick") and today announces the start of commercial use of its revolutionary glycine leaching technology for gold, GlyCat™ (“GlyCat”), at Barrick’s Buylanhulu operation in Tanzania. In addition, Draslovka and Barrick’s strategic partnership will now include a broader testing programme in 2024 that will span multiple mining sites.

“The application of GlyCat technology within our operations has significant potential to deliver improved operational efficiencies and cost savings, whilst also improving our environmental legacy. Consequently, we are very pleased to embark upon this strategic partnership with Draslovka to take advantage of this innovative technology across our global operations.”

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At Bulyanhulu Gold Mine, the GlyCat pilot programme has led to an 80% reduction in cyanide consumption while achieving gold recoveries that are comparable to traditional cyanidation. With GlyCat as part of the process, the mine’s tailings show undetectable levels of WAD and are free of cyanide, thereby reducing detoxification requirements and costs.

Pavel Bruzek Jr, CEO of Draslovka, commented: “This licensing agreement follows a highly successful pilot programme that proved the major benefits GlyCat offers to the gold mining industry. GlyCat provides significant economic and sustainability benefits at a time when the future of mining is conditional on cost savings, sustainable operations and securing social license to operate. I look forward to continuing to work with Barrick and am confident others in the sector will soon see that GlyCat is revolutionary and its development will enable a major shift for the gold mining industry through massive economic and environmental benefits. Barrick was the first major mining company to recognise the potential glycine leaching offers and it is a pleasure and honour to work with the team on its commitment to sustainable operations.”

Simon Bottoms, Barrick Mineral Resource Management & Evaluations Executive, added: “The application of GlyCat technology within our operations has significant potential to deliver improved operational efficiencies and cost savings, whilst also improving our environmental legacy. Consequently, we are very pleased to embark upon this strategic partnership with Draslovka to take advantage of this innovative technology across our global operations.”

About Draslovka

Draslovka a.s. (“Draslovka”) is a chemical technologies, products and services company creating value and improving sustainability in several industries, including mining, agriculture and manufacturing. Today, Draslovka is best known as the world’s largest producer of sodium cyanide, a chemical vital for gold mining however its most important contribution to the sector is its Glycine Leaching Technology (“GLT”), the company’s proprietary technology that leaches metals (including gold, copper, nickel and cobalt) in a more sustainable and economic manner. Draslovka also manufactures other specialist chemicals and reagents and provides class-leading chemical application services to the mining and pest control industries as well as AI-enabled support services.

About Glycine Leaching Technology

Glycine Leaching Technology (“GLT”) uses glycine, a non-toxic, recyclable and biodegradable amino acid that is commonly used as a food additive, to recover gold, copper, nickel and cobalt. GLT was inspired by nature when researchers at Curtin University in Perth observed plants absorbing gold and other metals out of the soil through the presence of glycine, which carries those metals through the soil and into the plant.

GLT has the capacity to revolutionise the mining industry and the potential to save mining companies billions of dollars. GLT significantly reduces processing costs, enhances a mine’s sustainability profile and can extend mine life by lowering the cut-off grade or unlocking value hidden in a mine’s tailings. GlyCatTM technology for Gold from the GLT product family dramatically reduces cyanide usage while also lowering or in some cases completely eliminating detoxification measures. In select ores, the process also results in higher recoveries.

In 2023, Barrick Gold rolled out a global testing and implementation programme with the goal of using GlyCatTM to unlock substantive savings and generate value for its operations while also improving its environmental footprint.

About Barrick Gold

Barrick’s mission is to be the world’s most valued gold and copper mining business by finding, developing, and owning the best assets, with the best people, to deliver sustainable returns for our owners and partners.

Barrick is a sector-leading gold and copper producer, operating mines and projects in 18 countries in North and South America, Africa, Papua New Guinea and Saudi Arabia.

Barrick’s portfolio spans the world’s most prolific gold and copper districts and is focused on high-margin, long-life assets, with a highly diversified workforce drawn almost entirely from host nations and equipped with world-class skills.

The company’s shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLD, and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX.