The invention relates to a process for the preparation of alkali metal cyanides as a solid substance, comprising the steps of: i) an absorption step in the form of an absorption of hydrogen cyanide from a hydrogen cyanide-containing synthesis gas in an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution; ii) a crystallization step in the form of introducing said alkali metal cyanide solution into an evaporative crystallizer; iii) a separation step; iv) a recycle step; v) a drying step.