• When the geo-membrane covers located beneath the processing pools leak due to faulty design, manufacturing defects, inadequate installation and/or damage (tears) caused during the course of operations

In his excellent repot on the geo-membrane covers used in gold mining, Reece (op. cit.) claims: "Every membrane has leaks. That is the most important thing to understand about the geo-membranes used in the cyanide leaching process. The only difference between different covers is that some have already had leaks and others will have them. (Originally in italics)

• When the solution overflows from the storage reservoirs. These leaks harm the plants and animals that come into contact with lethal concentrations of the cyanide solution, and in the long term they pose an immense threat to subterranean water reserves.

Generally, the storage reservoirs are designed to resist large storms and are designed to expand if necessary. However, they don't always prevent overflows. The heavy metals and the water containing cyanide that overflow from the storage reservoirs cause huge damage when they flow into the natural water course. The solution that escapes can be enough to kill fish and other forms of aquatic life, or it can contaminate sources of fresh drinking water.