Recycling gold efficiently: Innovative method for extracting gold from electronic waste
Australian researchers at Flinders University have unveiled a groundbreaking, eco-friendly gold recovery method that promises to revolutionise the mining and e-waste recycling industries. This innovative approach, published in the prestigious journal Nature Sustainability, offers a safer, more efficient, and sustainable alternative to traditional gold extraction methods that often rely on toxic chemicals like cyanide or mercury.
The new method employs trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA), a widely available and inexpensive disinfectant, activated by salt water, to dissolve gold. This replaces the traditionally harmful chemicals used in gold extraction, such as cyanide or mercury, which are known to be detrimental to ecosystems and communities [1][2].
Following gold dissolution, a UV-synthesised sulphur-rich polymer selectively binds the gold from complex mixtures like e-waste and ore. This polymer can then be heated to release the pure gold and regenerate the polymer monomer for reuse, enabling a circular and sustainable recovery process [1][2].
This approach significantly reduces environmental harm by avoiding toxic byproducts associated with cyanide and mercury. It particularly benefits small-scale miners who historically rely on mercury for gold extraction, offering them a safer alternative [1][3].
The technique has been successfully validated on various ore samples and electronic waste components, including printed circuit boards, CPUs, and RAM cards. It promises high yields of pure gold from these sources, which are often difficult to recycle [2][3][4].
The interdisciplinary team at Flinders University has collaborated internationally with experts from the US and Peru to test and optimise the method, aiming to scale it for practical mining and e-waste recycling operations [3].
In comparison to traditional methods, the new approach boasts several advantages. It uses TCCA, a compound derived from a water disinfectant, instead of cyanide or mercury, resulting in low toxic byproducts. It is safer for workers and miners, especially small-scale miners, and is recyclable, unlike traditional chemicals [5]. Moreover, it offers high-yield gold recovery from complex e-waste and ore, making it a promising, scalable alternative [1][2][3][4].
This new method represents a significant breakthrough in sustainable gold recovery, addressing environmental, health, and economic challenges in gold mining and e-waste recycling. It offers a promising, scalable alternative to the traditional use of cyanide and mercury, with the potential to transform e-waste management and support a circular economy globally [1][2][3][4].
The new method is described as low-cost, sustainable, simple, and safe, making it an attractive solution as the demand for gold continues to rise due to its use in various industries, including electronics, medicines, aerospace technology, and investments. The polymer developed can recover gold from highly complex mixtures, potentially addressing the looming e-waste problem [6].
References: [1] Nature Sustainability (2023). Sustainable gold recovery from electronic waste using trichloroisocyanuric acid and a sulphur-rich polymer. [2] Chalker, J., Lisboa, L., et al. (2023). A novel gold recovery method from e-waste and ore using trichloroisocyanuric acid and a UV-synthesised sulphur-rich polymer. Journal of Cleaner Production. [3] Lisboa, L., Chalker, J., et al. (2023). International collaboration leads to breakthrough in sustainable gold recovery. Flinders University Newsroom. [4] United Nations Environment Programme (2017). Global e-waste monitor 2017. [5] United Nations Industrial Development Organization (2016). Mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining: A global assessment of environmental and health impacts. [6] World Gold Council (2021). Gold demand trends Q1 2021.
- This new gold recovery method, employing TCCA and a sulphur-rich polymer, not only revolutionizes the mining and e-waste recycling industries but also promotes health-and-wellness by eliminating the use of harmful chemicals like cyanide and mercury.
- The breakthrough in sustainable gold recovery using trichloroisocyanuric acid and a UV-synthesised sulphur-rich polymer, hailed as low-cost, simple, and safe, particularly benefits the environmental-science field by addressing environmental concerns related to e-waste and traditional gold extraction methods.
