DrasChem: Sodium cyanide and its derivatives in Egypt 

Stages 1 and 2 – Gold Mining:

  • Sodium cyanide is used primarily in gold mining for separation of precious metals from ore rock.
  • The project will target Sodium Cyanide demand from Africa and the Middle East, which is currently 100% imported from other regions and continents.
  • Stage 1 – production of sodium cyanide with a capacity
of 50 kta.
  • Stage 2 – capacity increase, feedstock integration.

Stage 3 – Renewable Energy:

  • Downstream integration: sodium cyanide derivatives will be used as active materials for Sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries.
  • The project will support renewable energy generation in the MENA region providing key materials for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

Current status:

  • Sodium Cyanide production license acquired from Covoro Mining Solutions (former DuPont de Nemours).
  • A 16-hectares production land plot secured on a long-term lease, with possibility of a twofold area extension.
  • Basic Engineering completed.
  • All production raw materials (100% local) secured under MOUs.
  • Product Off-Take secured via Draslovka Global Sales Network.
  • Decree for Sodium Cyanide Project Private Free Zone status issued by Cabinet of Ministries.
  • Approvals obtained from US Department of Commerce to export sodium cyanide production technology license and Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA, Germany) to export engineering services and equipment.
Location
Egypt, Alexandria
Partnership with
Draslovka a.s. (CZ)
Products
Sodium cyanide and its derivatives
Investments
180 million USD +/- 20% 
(Stage 1 estimate)
Staff
> 500 employees