Gold refineries may soon be able to quit using toxic cyanide to process ore.

This chemical is dangerous to work with and without careful disposal, bad for the environment.

Instead, a scientists says they can try an organic chemical that is one of life’s “building blocks” – the amino acid glycine.

It is cheaper than cyanide and can be re-used.

Glycine can also be used to extract copper.

First published in Science Network WA [read this story]. Republished in The Kalgoorlie Miner on 1 November 2014.