Researchers find faster, cleaner way to extract gold from electronics (2024)

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Researchers find faster, cleaner way to extract gold from electronics? ›

Now, a group led by ETH Professor Mezzenga has come up with a very efficient, cost-effective, and above all far more sustainable method: with a sponge made from a protein matrix, the researchers have successfully extracted gold from electronic waste.

Chemical leaching makes use of the chemical properties of gold to leach it from ore, concentrate, or tailings. This process is mostly used in large scale mining operations but has been increasingly adopted in small scale mining because of its high gold recovery rate and low cost.

Traditionally, extracting gold from electronics involves using harmful chemicals like cyanide and nitric acid. However, more eco-friendly methods are available for those interested in sustainability and safety. One such method is mechanical separation, also known as “physical recovery.”

Scientists have developed a highly effective method to recover gold from electronic waste, an advance they say could yield $50 worth of gold for every dollar spent.

The most direct way to buy gold is to purchase actual gold bars or coins, but these can be illiquid and must be stored securely. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds that track the price of gold are also popular.

The principal technology is the cyanide process, in which gold is leached from the ore by treatment with a solution of cyanide. The first step is comminution (grinding) to increase surface area and expose the gold to the extracting solution. The extraction is conducted by dump leaching or heap leaching processes.

Pour nitric acid into the glass container over the circuit boards. Stir the mixture with the glass or metal rod until the contents become a uniform fluid. Once the gold has separated from the plates — it may take some time — strain the nitric acid from the mix using the filter. Take out the pieces that aren't melted.

Since gold requires stronger chemicals to be dissolved, the nitric acid will melt all the plastic and metal parts of the circuit board without harming the gold bits. Drain the nitric acid from the mixture. Use a filter to separate the solid parts from the liquid.

Carefully pour some vinegar onto the gold, or use a dropper to put a few drops onto it. If the gold changes color, then it is not pure gold. However, if the gold remains the same, or stays shining, then the gold is real. You can also put some vinegar into a glass and let the gold soak in the glass for 5-8 minutes.

Among all home devices, computers and televisions typically contain the most gold. Gold is also found in the circuit boards of earlier generations of cameras, radios, and media players. Traces of gold can be found in other electronics like game consoles, tablets, and phones.

How much gold can you get from old electronics? ›

On average, a desktop computer contains about 0.2 grams or 0.007 ounces of gold. While this may seem like a minuscule amount, the gold content can significantly accumulate if you are considering a large-scale recycling operation.

The safest way to extract gold from rocks at home is to crush the rocks. However, you might use mercury to extract the gold if you're able to obtain some, though this is dangerous. While both mercury and cyanide can be used to extract gold from rock, it's hazardous to both your health and the environment to use them.

Hydrochloric acid: Hydrochloric acid is used in combination with weak hydrogen peroxide to extract gold from electronics.

Hard rock mining is a more complex and expensive process than placer mining, but it can produce more gold. Hard rock mining produces most of the world's gold.

Flotation is one of the most effective gold ore separation techniques. Flotation is based on the difference of surface hydrophobicity of different minerals. Flotation has a remarkable effect on the separation of sulfide gold ore.

Due to the different types of gold ores, the gold extraction methods from ore are different, mainly including the gravity separation method, flotation method, amalgamation method and cyanide leaching method, resin in the pulp method, carbon paste adsorption method and heap leaching method.

Collecting gold scrap can be a fun way to make some extra money. For this modern-day treasure hunt, your best bet is to look for gold jewelry in flea markets and thrift shops. If you're down for a chemistry experiment, you can also mine for gold in your old computers and other electronics.