Leaching of gold with cyanide ion is done in presence of air/ O2 leading to cyano complex [Au(CN)2]−where Au is in +1 oxidation state. 4Au(s)+8CN−(aq)+2H2O(aq)+O2(g)⟶4[Au(CN)2]aq−+4OH− 2[Au(CN)2](aq)−+Zn(s)⟶[Zn(CN)4](aq)2−+2Au(s) Zinc is oxidised from (0) to +2 oxidation state during displacement reaction carried out for gold extraction.