Available technologies for cyanides (CN-) treatment-in gold mine effluents marginally degrade the thiocyanates (SCN-). Commonly, they convert the CN- into a less toxic compound, such as cyanates (OCN-), which afterwards are oxidized and generate ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N). Thus, the pretreated effluents require additional steps for complete degradation of SCN- and NH3-N. Recent research shows that ferrates [Fe(VI)] might represent a sustainable option for the efficient treatment of gold mine effluents. In this context, the objective of the present study was to assess the performance of Fe(VI) in SCN- and/or NH3-N treatment, as well as in their by-products degradation. The performance of Fe(VI) was evaluated using three different synthetic effluents (solutions) and two gold mine effluents contaminated by SCN- and/or NH3-N. Results indicated that more than 97% of SCN- were degraded with Fe(VI), while the NH3-N increased up to 50%, after SCN- oxidation of the presence of NH3-N, within one hour of reaction time. Consequently, for effluents that contain SCN- and NH3-N, longer reaction time is required or complementary treatment technologies, such as nitrification- denitrification, should be evaluated for complete degradation of N-compounds. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.