FIELD: chemistry.
SUBSTANCE: invention can be used at nonferrous metallurgical companies and in the gold mining industry to treat cyanide-containing pulp and waste water formed when processing ore and concentrates and containing minerals in solid phase. To carry out the method, cyanide-containing pulp is treated while stirring with "active" chlorine, which is periodically or continuously fed into the reaction zone. The "active" chlorine is fed such that its concentration in the liquid phase of the pulp does not exceed 10 mg/l and the redox potential is 50-200 mV, and the pulp is held in these conditions for 0.5-3 hours. Treatment is carried out in non-temperature controlled reactors with simultaneous constant and/or pulsed supply of "active" chlorine and an alkaline agent.
EFFECT: method does not require heating and/or temperature control and provides thorough removal of cyanides, thiocyanates and heavy metals with minimal reagent consumption.
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