The Ricca Chemical potassium cyanide with composition of 90.46% water and 9.54% potassium cyanide is suitable for use in dyeing, electroplating, metal cleaning and manufacturing. It is mainly used in extraction of gold and silver from ores. It can be stored at a temperature of 15 to 30 degree C.

Sodium cyanide is a poisonous compound with the formula NaCN. It is a white, water-soluble solid. Cyanide has a high affinity for metals, which leads to the high toxicity of this salt. Its main application, in gold mining, also exploits its high reactivity toward metals. It is a moderately strong base.