All items that contain gold

The electronics industry uses gold for its conductivity, but also because it has the ability to resist oxidation. It is therefore an ideal metal for all types of equipment such as computers, consoles, and telephones.

Thousands of products are manufactured every day, resulting in high gold consumption, and therefore a substantial purchasing budget for companies. To limit costs and implement a recycling approach, industries recycle gold using chemical processes.

The University of Edinburgh has created a recovery process that involves separating gold from all other elements present, particularly using chemicals. Meanwhile, the CNRS is exploring another avenue, one that does not destroy the other precious metals contained in computers. Thus, in addition to recovering gold, manufacturers could also recover silver or palladium.

In any case, the process is long, expensive, and dangerous. This is why recycling is still in its development phase and can only be carried out by companies that have the means to implement these systems.

However, the gold contained in our computers can be recovered by anyone. For this, there are WikiHow tutorials. Thus, you will find several methods for extracting gold from the different components. But be careful, the solutions presented are more or less dangerous and require precautions to guarantee the safety of those present.

The amount of gold contained in electronic products intended for recycling represents the equivalent of 10% of global gold production. Gold recycling is therefore a real challenge for manufacturers and for protecting the environment.

Where is gold found in a computer?

Electronic devices use gold to ensure optimal electrical conductivity. This is why gold is found in motherboards, pins, connectors, pads, and anything else that needs to ensure good electrical conduction. Gold-containing components can be identified by their color and location. Batteries are also objects made of gold, particularly in the connection pins. However, care should be taken when handling them to avoid damaging them and injuring yourself.

Recovering Gold with Nitric Acid

Those who wish to attempt to recover gold from electronic products must wear appropriate protective gear. Gloves, goggles, overalls, and filter masks are required to avoid poisoning or burns.

Nitric acid dissolves components while keeping the gold intact, unlike aqua regia. Therefore, place the broken electronic components in a glass dish, such as a Pyrex container, then gently add the nitric acid. You must then mix until the result is completely liquid. Only the gold remains intact throughout the separation process. Once finished, pour the acid and its contents into another Pyrex container and filter it. You will then recover the gold. If any clumps persist, separate them by hand.

Numerous precautions must be taken throughout the separation process: protective equipment, ventilation of the space, etc. If you fail to follow these precautions, you risk poisoning, burns, and other serious injuries.

Separating the elements with fire

The fire method requires less equipment, and no chemicals are used. However, you must also wear a mask, protective goggles, high-quality gloves, and a suit. Also, make sure to ventilate the separation area and have everything you need in case of flying embers.

Start by placing the printed circuit board on a metal surface. Then, once the flammable liquid has been poured in, set it on fire. Once the component is burned on all surfaces, all that's left is to separate the gold from the other elements.

Items that contain gold include computers, tablets, smartphones, and any products that use printed circuit boards, motherboards, or special connectors.

In a ton of ore, gold mining companies are able to recover between 4 and 5 grams of gold. However, when recycling electronic components, the amount is greater, around 200 grams. Motherboards alone could generate up to 800 times the amount of gold extracted, which represents a financial but, above all, environmental benefit.

For their part, electronics companies believe that each computer can provide between 1 and 2 grams of gold per recycling cycle. Considering that 12 computers are sold every second, the reuse potential is considerable.

Another item that is just as widely sold and used: the cell phone. It is estimated that over 100 million unrecycled phones worldwide also contain gold. Indeed, the components are structurally identical to those used by computers. Whether it's motherboards or connectors, gold remains the most efficient metal for conducting electricity throughout the product's life.

Thus, up to 50 milligrams of gold can be recovered from a smartphone weighing 200 grams. As a reminder, gold is valued at around 50 euros per gram. However, recycling smartphones requires specific skills, abilities, and tools.

Companies specializing in waste treatment and recycling guarantee the extraction of gold and other precious metals under optimal conditions. The products used are themselves recycled, ensuring a low environmental impact. Whether using chemicals or very high temperatures, the process requires special facilities to ensure maximum safety for personnel.

At home, you can also disassemble your old phones to try to recover the gold. However, you must be extremely careful with compounds, fumes, heat, and corrosion. Only trained personnel are capable of separating the elements from the gold.

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