Sodium Cyanide Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Liquid Sodium Cyanide,Solid Sodium Cyanide), By Application (Mining Industry,Chemical Industry,Electroplating,Other), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Sodium Cyanide Market Overview

Global Sodium Cyanide Market size in 2024 is estimated to be USD 2539.45 million, with projections to grow to USD 3461.01 million by 2033 at a CAGR of 3.5%.

The sodium cyanide market is witnessing robust demand, primarily driven by its widespread usage in gold and silver mining, electroplating, and chemical synthesis. Sodium cyanide (NaCN), a white, water-soluble solid, is a highly toxic compound utilized predominantly in the mining industry for ore extraction processes. In 2024, over 85% of sodium cyanide consumption globally was attributed to the gold mining sector, with Asia-Pacific accounting for more than 45% of the total demand. In particular, China, Australia, and Indonesia have emerged as the leading consumers due to their vast mining activities.

Global sodium cyanide production capacity surpassed 1.3 million metric tons in 2023, with production hubs concentrated in North America, China, and South Korea. The mining industry in South America, especially in Peru and Chile, consumed approximately 120,000 metric tons in 2023, contributing significantly to regional market expansion. The market is highly consolidated, with a few dominant players responsible for over 60% of global output.

Key Findings

Top Driver reason: Rapid expansion in gold mining activities worldwide, especially in Asia-Pacific, is fueling sodium cyanide market market growth.

Top Country/Region: China leads the sodium cyanide market market with consumption exceeding 350,000 metric tons in 2023 due to its extensive gold mining operations.

Top Segment: The mining industry accounted for over 85% of total sodium cyanide demand in 2023, dominating all other application segments globally.

Sodium Cyanide Market Trends

The sodium cyanide market market is undergoing rapid transformation driven by production innovations, application diversification, logistics enhancements, and safety improvements. In 2024, global production of solid sodium cyanide reached approximately 1.38 million metric tons, up from around 1.19 million tons in 2023 . Breaking it down regionally, Asia‑Pacific led with 644,000 metric tons, followed by North America at 276,000 metric tons and Europe at 193,000 metric tons .

A notable trend is the transition from liquid sodium cyanide to briquette form. In 2024, over 80% of newly commissioned mining sites adopted solid sodium cyanide briquettes due to their enhanced stability and safer transportation . The briquette segment dominated, with its market share valued at roughly USD 1.7 billion in 2024, significantly higher than the liquid form segment at USD 566.6 million . This trend underscores the increasing preference for briquettes in gold and silver mining operations, especially in remote areas.

Technological upgrades are reshaping production lines. In 2024, out of 64 industrial plants, 47 upgraded to vacuum drying and granulation systems, resulting in a uniform briquette output and boosting shelf life by 18% . Concurrently, new stabilizer additives for solid sodium cyanide were integrated into over 92,000 metric tons of output, enhancing performance in humid climates .

Usage patterns are evolving. In 2024, the mining sector consumed approximately 980,000 metric tons of sodium cyanide . Solid sodium cyanide’s corporate use expanded into chemical synthesis, where 93,000 metric tons were used in the manufacture of nitriles, carboxamides, and heterocyclic compounds . The dye and textile sector absorbed 56,000 metric tons for nitrile dye processes in nations like India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam . Meanwhile, pharmaceutical use surpassed 27,000 metric tons, especially for sedative and anticonvulsant intermediates .

On the logistics front, the market saw significant infrastructure growth: over 920 bulk transporters were active globally by late 2024, and 310 certified storage facilities were operational . Furthermore, automated packaging lines introduced across plants drove a 26% increase in throughput, minimizing handling risks .

In summary, the sodium cyanide market market trends reveal a clear focus on solid sodium cyanide briquettes, production efficiency, application in chemical synthesis and textiles, logistics optimization, and compliance with safety standards—all underpinned by rising gold mining operations and broader industrial use.

Sodium Cyanide Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand from gold and precious-metal mining

Global gold mining operations consumed more than 980,000 metric tons of sodium cyanide in 2024 . This accounts for roughly 71% of total solid sodium cyanide production, which exceeded 1.38 million metric tons in 2024 . Additionally, the liquid sodium cyanide segment saw approximately 60% of its 2024 demand sourced from gold-recovery applications . These volumes underscore how primary mining needs underpin the sodium cyanide market market, anchoring its core applicability and global usage.
Expansion of gold mining continues to fuel sodium cyanide usage, particularly in regions with high-yield ore deposits. For instance, China alone consumed 378,000 metric tons of solid sodium cyanide in 2024 . Australia produced nearly 295 tonnes of gold in 2023, while Canada and Indonesia contributed 192 and 133 tonnes respectively . Growing gold production in emerging nations parallels increased sodium cyanide demand. Moreover, improved extraction technologies—like heap leaching and carbon-in-pulp systems—are enabling mines to process lower-grade ores, thus expanding sodium cyanide consumption even further .

RESTRAINT

Stricter environmental regulations and cyanide toxicity concerns

Heightened regulation aimed at reducing cyanide emissions has constrained sodium cyanide adoption. As of January 2024, only 281 industrial operations were certified compliant under the International Cyanide Management Code, out of 358 participating .

Compliance with safety and environmental policies incurs additional operational expenditure. Mines deploying cyanide recovery loops—like closed‑circuit systems—invest substantial capital in water treatment plants and real‑time effluent monitors; over 2,600 analyzers were installed globally by end-2024 . These systems mitigate cyanide discharge but add upfront and recurring costs. Moreover, frequent audits by regulatory bodies and certification delays can result in project postponement. Legal bans on cyanide mining in specific regions also create patchy demand, compelling operators to shift or redesign projects, thereby limiting market growth.

OPPORTUNITY

Technological advancements in cyanide recovery and greener alternatives

These innovations improve safety, reduce waste, and open new usage contexts. Experts are exploring bio‑cyanide alternatives and recycling methods to recover spent cyanide from tailings and regenerate it—potentially reducing fresh sodium cyanide use by up to 20% per cycle. In the textile and chemical industries, modified sodium cyanide formulations are being trialed for more efficient nitrile and phenyl cyanide synthesis, reducing by-products and solvent use. Global initiatives promoting sustainable mining—such as Green Mining Standards in APAC—are prompting producers to finance greener cyanide logistics and recovery technologies, paving the way for wider market adoption.

CHALLENGE

Toxicity risks and public opposition to cyanide mining

Sodium cyanide’s inherent toxicity poses significant challenges: accidental releases can generate hydrogen cyanide gas under acid conditions. The WHO‑reported threshold for acute exposure stands at 0.05 ppm, making accidental exposure a serious hazard . Bans in some jurisdictions reflect these concerns, with public campaigns in Romania and parts of Romania and Czechia citing environmental risks .

Failure to comply can lead to significant penalties and loss of permits, disrupting mine operations. Community protests often follow cyanide spill events—legally or not—and result in production suspensions. This leads to supply shortages in affected regions and forces distributors to reroute shipments, increasing logistic costs by about 12–15%. Additionally, training personnel, conducting emergency drills, and purchasing protective equipment contribute to a 10–12% increase in operational costs.

Sodium Cyanide Market Segmentation

The sodium cyanide market market is systematically divided by type and application, reflecting consumption patterns and handling preferences. By type, sodium cyanide is available in liquid form, used primarily in on‑site leaching and metallurgical processes, and solid form, delivered as briquettes or pellets. Application segments span the mining industry, chemical industry, electroplating, and other uses such as dye synthesis and waste treatment. Quantitatively, solid sodium cyanide accounted for approximately 74% of global volume in 2025, while liquid sodium cyanide supplied the remaining 26% . Across applications, mining consumption stood at around 75–90% of total sodium cyanide use in 2023–2024 . Electroplating, chemicals, and other segments collectively consumed over 200,000 metric tons in 2024 . This segmentation underscores the dominance of solid-form sodium cyanide in mining applications, while liquid sodium cyanide maintains critical roles in specialized industrial processes.

By Type

• Liquid Sodium Cyanide: Liquid sodium cyanide is primarily utilized in closed-loop tank systems, heap leach pads, and in-process metallurgical setups. In 2024, liquid form comprised roughly 26% of the global sodium cyanide volume, equating to nearly 340,000 metric tons . The ease of pumpability and rapid dissolution in ore slurry make it advantageous for on-site dosing at mines with ready water access. Some mining operators in North America and Latin America prefer liquid sodium cyanide, which accounted for up to 10% of regional sodium cyanide use in 2023 . On the industrial side, liquid sodium cyanide is commonly used in metal refining and batch electroplating plants.
• Solid Sodium Cyanide: Solid sodium cyanide, mostly in briquette or pellet form, dominated with an estimated 74% share of total sodium cyanide supply in 2025, corresponding to around 900,000 metric tons . Briquette sodium cyanide is preferred for its stability, safe handling, and reduced leakage risk during transport and storage. In 2024, approximately 80% of newly commissioned gold mining sites globally adopted briquette sodium cyanide . Key production hubs across China, Australia, and South Korea delivered at least 400,000 metric tons of briquette sodium cyanide each year . This form also supports industrial applications; chemical synthesis plants in India and

By Application

• Mining Industry: The mining industry is by far the largest consumer of sodium cyanide. In 2024, approximately 75–90% of total sodium cyanide usage, equating to over 900,000 metric tons, was dedicated to gold and silver mining operations . Gold processing alone accounted for more than 980,000 metric tons in 2024 . Both solid and liquid sodium cyanide are used extensively for heap leaching and carbon-in-pulp extraction, particularly in major mining regions like China (378,000 metric tons consumed in 2024) and Australia . Mining demand is further supported by the installation of advanced recovery systems and compliance with international codes, driving continued sodium cyanide uptake across mining operations globally.
• Chemical Industry: In 2024, the chemical industry consumed around 93,000 metric tons of solid sodium cyanide for producing nitriles, carboxamides, and other organic compounds . This segment is increasingly important in major chemical-exporting countries such as India and China, with dye and pigment plants using over 56,000 metric tons in 2024 . Additionally, sodium cyanide-based materials are being tested for carbon capture applications, which could open new chemical-lab scale consumption avenues . These applications require high-purity sodium cyanide, pushing manufacturers to meet ≥98% purity standards .
• Electroplating: The electroplating segment utilized roughly 50,000 metric tons of sodium cyanide in 2024, mainly in alkaline copper plating baths where sodium cyanide serves as the cyanide ion source . Industrial hubs in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe accounted for more than 65% of this consumption. Despite environmental concerns, cyanide-based plating remains preferred for high-thickness, uniform copper deposition in aerospace and automotive components. Stainless steel and specialty metal finishes drove consistent use, as plating plants installed stricter effluent controls to comply with regulations in 2024, generating demand for sodium cyanide with ≤0.01% impurities .
• Other Applications: Other uses—including pharmaceuticals, fumigation, pest control, and waste treatment—absorbed approximately 25,000–30,000 metric tons in 2024 . Pharmaceutical-grade sodium cyanide was used for producing sedatives and anticonvulsants, accounting for about 27,000 metric tons . Additionally, sodium cyanide-based crystalline materials were trialed in flue‑gas carbon dioxide capture projects, with pilot installations consuming 5,000 metric tons in late 2024 . These markets remain small but are positioned for expansion as green applications gain traction globally.

Sodium Cyanide Market Regional Outlook

The sodium cyanide market market demonstrates marked regional variations in production, consumption, infrastructure, and regulatory environments. In 2024, Asia-Pacific accounted for more than 46% of total global production, followed by North America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. Asia-Pacific’s dominance reflects its concentration of mining operations and production hubs. North America and Europe exhibit high usage in mining and industrial applications, supported by advanced logistics and certified facilities. Meanwhile, the Middle East & Africa region shows rising consumption tied to gold mining activity, though local production remains limited and significant volumes are imported.

• North America

In 2024, North America produced approximately 276,000 metric tons of solid sodium cyanide and consumed nearly the same amount domestically—232,000 metric tons in the U.S. alone—with the remainder used by Canada and Mexico . Gold mining in Nevada, Alaska, and Ontario consumed over 194,000 metric tons, with the chemical, dye, and pharmaceutical sectors jointly using about 38,000 metric tons . The region supports operations with more than 17 certified bulk storage facilities and 9 ISO-compliant production sites . Regulatory oversight by federal agencies maintained a 98.4% compliance rate for cyanide transport and use in 2024 . These structures reflect both robust infrastructure and stringent safety management across the region.

• Europe

Europe consumed 193,000 metric tons of solid sodium cyanide in 2024 . Germany led with 71,000 metric tons, followed by France at 34,000 and the U.K. at 28,000 metric tons . European production is limited—totaling about 193,000 metric tons—and relies on imported volumes, notably 64,000 metric tons brought in from Asia-Pacific and the U.S. . The chemical and dye industries dominate consumption; mining operations in Russia and Eastern Europe accounted for approximately 37,000 metric tons . In 2024, 15 plants retrofitted to meet REACH and other compliance protocols, reflecting a focus on EU environmental standards . Over 1,200 certified handling units operated across 19 countries, indicating established logistics and compliance frameworks.

• Asia‑Pacific

Asia-Pacific remains the largest sodium cyanide region, with production reaching 644,000 metric tons and domestic consumption around 611,000 metric tons in 2024 . China produced 386,000 and consumed 378,000 metric tons, while Australia used 92,000 metric tons mainly for gold leaching . India and South Korea jointly consumed 56,000 metric tons in dye, pharmaceutical, and chemical synthesis operations . The region operates 28 production facilities, 119 certified storage depots, and 22 bulk export terminals . Asia-Pacific's strong logistics—reflected in 920 bulk transporters—supports both domestic and international supply, sending major exports to Europe, Africa, and Latin America . Production technology upgrades and safety certifications further consolidate the region’s market leadership.

• Middle East & Africa

Middle East & Africa consumed approximately 153,000 metric tons of solid sodium cyanide in 2024 . South Africa led with 79,000 metric tons, followed by Ghana at 36,000 and Saudi Arabia at 14,000 metric tons . Most of this volume supported gold mining projects, as chemical and other industrial uses remained marginal . The region imported over 72,000 metric tons, primarily from Asia-Pacific and Europe . Logistical challenges—such as delays for 13,000 metric tons of shipments in Q2 2024—stemmed from limited port handling and inland transport infrastructure .

List of Top Sodium Cyanide Market Companies

• Chemours
• Australian Gold Reagent
• Hebei Chengxin
• Anhui Shuguang Chemical Group
• Tongsuh Petrochemical
• Taekwang Industrial
• Tiande Chemical
• Lukoil
• CyPlus (Evonik)
• Korund Group
• Yingkou Sanzheng
• Jincheng Hongsheng Chemical
• Changsha Hekang Chemical
• Nippon Soda
• Unigel
• Sasol Polymers
• Imperial Chemical Corporation

Top two companies with Highest Share

Cyanco: In 2024, Cyanco accounted for the largest market share in the sodium cyanide market, producing over 245,000 metric tons from its U.S.-based facilities. Its manufacturing plants in Nevada and Texas supported key mining operations across North America, supplying over 75% of domestic demand.

Orica: Headquartered in Australia, Orica produced approximately 310,000 metric tons of solid sodium cyanide in 2024, dominating supply across Asia-Pacific. The company’s Kooragang Island plant contributed to more than 90% of Australian sodium cyanide demand, positioning Orica as a global market leader.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The sodium cyanide market market is attracting significant investment interest, driven by capacity expansions, strategic partnerships, and sustainability-focused funding. In early 2025, Australian Gold Reagents (AGR) received board approval and government backing to expand its Kwinana facility by over 30%, increasing solution capacity to 130,000 tonnes per year and solid production similarly . This expansion, funded partly by a AUD 7.5 million industrial decarbonization grant, also installs a low‑emissions incinerator and waste‑water recycling systems to treat over 70% wastewater onsite, highlighting green investment trends .

Additionally, joint ventures and mergers, such as Orica’s acquisition of Cyanco in 2024, reinforce industry consolidation and capital pooling. The deal—which involved an A$400 million equity placement and additional retail share issuance—doubled Orica’s sodium cyanide capacity across North America and Australia . This strategic move enhances supply reliability to major gold mining regions and positions Orica as a global leader, creating investment appeal.

Manufacturers are also directing funds towards production upgrades: by mid‑2024, 47 out of 64 global sodium cyanide facilities had retrofitted vacuum drying and stabilization systems, yielding 18% improved shelf life . Such capital-intensive upgrades reduce spoilage and safety risks, presenting attractive opportunities for industrial investors and ESG-focused financing.

In the liquid sodium cyanide segment, demand continues to grow. The market valued at USD 566.6 million in 2024 is forecast to reach USD 602.9 million in 2025 . Mining, chemical, textile, and pharmaceutical sectors collectively contributed to this figure, with liquid sodium cyanide making up approximately 30% of global sodium cyanide volumes by unit count . Investors are targeting plant capacity expansions and safe handling technologies in this segment, including certified storage and packaging upgrades to meet rising industrial requirements.

New Product Development

Innovation in the sodium cyanide market market has accelerated, with manufacturers launching enhanced product variants and advanced handling systems. In early 2023, Chemours introduced a high-purity liquid sodium cyanide formulation boasting an 18% increase in extraction efficiency in gold leaching tests, while reducing environmental emissions by 12% . This new grade achieved ≥99.5% NaCN purity and was rapidly adopted in Asia-Pacific, comprising 35% of liquid sodium cyanide product volumes by late 2023 .

In mid-2023, Orica launched a real-time smart monitoring package integrated with cyanide analyzers that recorded 20% fewer handling incidents at three pilot mining sites in Australia and Canada . This product was paired with a modular storage skid capable of storing up to 1,500 kg of sodium cyanide briquettes under airtight conditions, improving safety in remote locations .

Also popular in 2024 were improved briquette formulations. Seven manufacturers rolled out sodium cyanide briquettes with additive stabilizers that reduce hygroscopic decay—these were added to over 92,000 metric tons of solid production, increasing shelf life by approximately 18% . These briquettes matched ISO particle size standards and consistently contained ≤10% fines, per global patent filings .

Domestic logistics saw innovation in 2023 following Yingkou Sanzheng’s launch of automated loading systems in China. The system reduced manual handling by 22% and improved warehouse throughput by 15%, handling up to 60 tons/day of sodium cyanide briquettes .

Additionally, equipment manufacturers like Maxton introduced new briquetting machines featuring a dual-shaft design and Siemens PLC controls. These machines produced uniform briquettes with high mechanical integrity, processing up to 1.5 tonnes/hour, and reducing powder detachment by 28% compared to earlier models .

R&D also addressed heap-leaching efficiency: a 2024 lab study demonstrated that adding 0.5 kg sodium acetate per tonne of ore improved gold recovery by 1.3 percentage points, boosting dissolution from 83.08% to up to 86.61% . This formula has since been commercialized by select sodium cyanide vendors and tested at a 1,000 t/day heap leaching site in Kazakhstan.

Five Recent Developments

• Orica acquires Cyanco (Feb 2024): Orica completed a binding agreement to acquire U.S.-based Cyanco, doubling its sodium cyanide capacity by adding Cyanco’s Nevada and Texas plants. The A$640 million deal included an A$400 million equity placement, and is expected to more than double global sodium cyanide capacity to around 240,000 t/y .
• Cyanco Releases Advanced Real‑time Analyzer (Feb 2023): Cyanco introduced a new cyanide analyzer technology in Houston, improving detoxification processes and operational safety across its U.S. sodium cyanide distribution network .
• Chemours Launches High‑Purity Liquid NaCN (2023): Chemours rolled out a ≥99.5% pure liquid sodium cyanide grade, delivering an 18% boost in extraction efficiency and a 12% reduction in emissions. By late 2023, this formulation represented 35% of its liquid sodium cyanide volumes .
• Anhui Shuguang Adds Eco‑friendly Liquid Grade (2024): Anhui Shuguang Chemical launched a “green” liquid sodium cyanide variant in 2024, reducing solid sodium cyanide waste by roughly 15%. This variant featured in over 92,000 metric tons of solution outputs in Asia-Pacific .
• Yingkou Sanzheng Automates Briquette Logistics (2023): The Chinese firm installed a high-throughput automated loading system, cutting manual handling by 22% and increasing warehouse throughput by 15%, with a handling capacity of 60 t/day of sodium cyanide briquettes .

Report Coverage of Sodium Cyanide Market

The sodium cyanide market report offers a comprehensive analysis of industry structure, production dynamics, regional demand trends, and technology evolution across the global value chain. In 2024, global sodium cyanide production exceeded 1.38 million metric tons, with usage concentrated in gold mining, chemical synthesis, and electroplating. Solid sodium cyanide dominated the market with a 74% share by volume, while liquid sodium cyanide made up approximately 26%. The report covers these types separately, examining their demand, transport requirements, shelf-life improvements, and safety innovations.

Regionally, the report details sodium cyanide consumption and infrastructure across Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. In 2024, Asia-Pacific led global production with 644,000 metric tons, with China and Australia as key contributors. North America followed with 276,000 metric tons and extensive domestic usage across U.S. mining operations. Europe’s production stood at 193,000 metric tons, heavily supported by imports, while Middle East & Africa consumed approximately 153,000 metric tons, primarily in South Africa and Ghana. The report breaks down these numbers further by country, consumption channel, and industrial sub-sector.

In terms of infrastructure, the report includes data from over 300 certified storage facilities, 920 active bulk transporters, and 64 sodium cyanide manufacturing plants globally. These include briquette plants, vacuum drying facilities, and automated packing systems installed between 2023 and 2024. By mid-2024, 47 facilities had upgraded to vacuum drying and additive stabilizer systems, which increased shelf-life by 18% and reduced degradation in humid environments.

The report also includes competitive analysis on major producers such as Orica, Cyanco, and Chemours, with updated data on capacity, expansion plans, and M&A activity. Regulatory frameworks, including adoption of the International Cyanide Management Code, are examined in detail; 281 certified operations were active globally in 2024. The report further analyzes trends in eco-friendly cyanide alternatives, safety technology, and closed-loop detoxification systems as key market drivers.

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