Czech-based specialty chemicals company Draslovka has reached an agreement to roll out a global testing and implementation programme for GlyCat, its glycine-based gold-leaching product, in several of the mines run by Barrick Gold. This is the first such trial and could lead to a global rollout.

According to Draslovska, using GlyCat, a non-toxic, food-grade and recyclable reagent, “can potentially unlock substantive savings and generate value for Barrick’s operations, while improving environmental footprint”. Depending on the ore, these could include:

Oaktree Capital Management is to invest $150 million in Czech firm Draslovka, “providing preferred equity capital to support the company’s growth strategy”. This follows multiple recent acquisitions by Draslovksa, a family-owned specialist in CN-based chemicals, including next generation fumigants and biocides.