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Edelmetallrückgewinnung
In brief
Precious metal recovery is the extraction of gold, silver, palladium and other valuable metals from waste, mainly from circuit boards of e-waste. After collection, removal of pollutants and shredding, the metals are separated and purified in specialized smelters and refineries. For IT retirement, precious metal recovery is the last step for devices that can no longer be reused.
How does gold come from e-waste?
Gold is found in IT hardware mainly where reliable contacts are needed: on circuit boards, in connectors and in processors. The quantities per device are small, but in large quantities of e-waste they are economically significant. This is why people also speak of Urban mining, mining in the city.
The path has several stages:
- Initial treatment: Batteries and other pollutants are removed, devices are dismantled or shredded and sorted by material.
- Concentration: Circuit boards and other parts containing precious metals are collected.
- Metallurgy: The parts are melted in smelting works. The precious metals collect, for example, in copper and are then separated and purified chemically and electrolytically.
The processes work with high temperatures and aggressive chemicals. They belong in licensed industrial plants. E-waste is unsuitable and dangerous for DIY experiments with acids.
Recycling only after reuse
The waste hierarchy places reuse before recycling. A working laptop is usually worth more as a device than its raw materials. Precious metal recovery therefore makes sense for defective or obsolete devices that can no longer be refurbished. Further background is provided by the article 10 Surprising Facts About E-Waste. Second IT first prepares devices for reuse. What can no longer be used is properly disposed of as a certified waste management company, and specialized recycling processes recover materials such as precious metals.
Frequently asked questions about precious metal recovery
Which precious metals are in computers?
Mainly gold, silver and palladium, in smaller quantities also platinum. In addition there are valuable non-precious metals such as copper.
Is it worthwhile to extract gold from old computers yourself?
No. The quantities per device are small, and the necessary chemicals are dangerous to health and the environment. Recovery is economical and safe only in industrial plants.
Does data have to be erased before recycling?
Yes. Data carriers should be verifiably erased or physically destroyed before recycling so that no data enters the recovery chain.
What is urban mining in e-waste?
Urban mining means "mining in the city". It refers to obtaining valuable metals from e-waste instead of from ores. The quantity per device is small, but with large quantities of e-waste it is economically significant.
Why is there gold in computers and laptops?
Gold conducts reliably and does not corrode. That is why it is found where secure contacts are needed: on circuit boards, in connectors and in processors. During recovery, these parts are collected and processed in smelting works.
Reuse first, then recover raw materials.
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