Friday, 31 Oct 2025
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA
logo logo
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
  • 🔥
  • Trump
  • VIDEO
  • House
  • White
  • ScienceAlert
  • Trumps
  • Watch
  • man
  • Health
  • Season
Font ResizerAa
American FocusAmerican Focus
Search
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
Follow US
© 2024 americanfocus.online – All Rights Reserved.
American Focus > Blog > Tech and Science > Scientists Figured Out How to Extract Gold From Old Phones And Laptops : ScienceAlert
Tech and Science

Scientists Figured Out How to Extract Gold From Old Phones And Laptops : ScienceAlert

Last updated: June 27, 2025 11:21 pm
Share
SHARE

The year 2022 saw a significant increase in electronic waste production, with an estimated 62 million tonnes generated globally. This amount is equivalent to filling over 1.5 million garbage trucks, marking an 82 percent increase from 2010. The projections indicate a further rise to 82 million tonnes by 2030. Among this e-waste are old laptops and phones, which contain valuable materials like gold. Unfortunately, less than a quarter of this waste is properly collected and recycled, highlighting the need for sustainable extraction methods.

A breakthrough technique has been developed by a team of scientists and engineers to safely extract gold from e-waste, as detailed in a new paper published in Nature Sustainability. This innovative method not only offers a sustainable solution for gold extraction but also aims to make small-scale gold mining less harmful to both people and the environment.

Gold has always held a crucial role in various aspects of human life, from being a form of currency to a key component in modern industries such as electronics, chemical manufacturing, and aerospace. However, the soaring global demand for gold has led to detrimental environmental impacts associated with traditional mining methods.

Large-scale mining operations often rely on toxic chemicals like cyanide to extract gold from ore, posing risks to wildlife and the environment. Similarly, small-scale and artisanal mining practices involve the extensive use of mercury, leading to significant pollution and health hazards. It is evident that new methods are necessary to mitigate the adverse effects of gold mining.

The newly developed gold-extraction technique focuses on sustainability throughout the entire extraction, recovery, and refining process. By utilizing trichloroisocyanuric acid, a common and cost-effective chemical used in water sanitation, the team was able to convert gold into a water-soluble form. This innovative approach also includes the use of a sulphur-rich polymer sorbent to selectively bind and remove gold from the solution, even in the presence of other metals.

See also  First ever confirmed image of a colossal squid in the deep ocean

Moreover, the team has devised methods to regenerate and recycle both the leaching chemical and the polymer sorbent, along with purifying and recycling the water used in the process. By incorporating circular economy principles, the polymer sorbent can be recycled back into its original monomer building block, demonstrating a sustainable approach to gold recovery.

While the initial results are promising, the road ahead involves scaling up production, optimizing cost and yield, and ensuring competitiveness with traditional mining methods. Collaborations with industry, government, and non-profit organizations will be crucial in testing and implementing this new technique in small-scale mining operations.

The ultimate goal is to provide a safe and efficient alternative to toxic chemicals like cyanide and mercury, benefiting not only the environment but also the millions of artisanal and small-scale miners who rely on hazardous practices for gold extraction. By embracing innovative solutions like this, we can pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future in the mining industry.

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article El Chingon Bistro kitchen catches fire in Denver’s Santa Fe Art District El Chingon Bistro kitchen catches fire in Denver’s Santa Fe Art District
Next Article Time to give the euro a glow-up Time to give the euro a glow-up
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Posts

Boomer Esiason highlights silver lining in Giants losing number 1 pick in NFL Draft 2025

Boomer Esiason's recent comments on the Giants losing their grip on the first overall pick…

January 8, 2025

We Earthlings: Don’t Throw Away Your Sports Shoes

Are you wondering what to do with your old sports shoes after purchasing a new…

April 1, 2025

Summer is a great time to protect your hearing

This baseline is a reminder to take care of my hearing as I age. Meinke…

June 18, 2025

Kamala Harris Rages at Black Caucus Gala — Attacks ‘Unhinged’ Trump, Republicans and Incites Leftist Violence: “We MUST Fight FIRE with FIRE!” | The Gateway Pundit | by Jim Há´Źft

At the recent Annual Phoenix Awards Dinner hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in…

September 29, 2025

Democrats Have Broken The GOP On Epstein And Trump Is Furious

PoliticusUSA thrives thanks to the unwavering support of readers like you. In a media landscape…

July 23, 2025

You Might Also Like

The New Scientist Book Club’s verdict on Our Brains, Our Selves: A mix of praise and misgivings
Tech and Science

The New Scientist Book Club’s verdict on Our Brains, Our Selves: A mix of praise and misgivings

October 31, 2025
Tech Advisor December 2025 Digital Magazine
Tech and Science

Tech Advisor December 2025 Digital Magazine

October 31, 2025
Scientists Identified a New Blood Group After a 50-Year Mystery : ScienceAlert
Tech and Science

Scientists Identified a New Blood Group After a 50-Year Mystery : ScienceAlert

October 31, 2025
Nanotyrannus Isn’t a Juvenile T-Rex—It’s a Separate Dinosaur
Tech and Science

Nanotyrannus Isn’t a Juvenile T-Rex—It’s a Separate Dinosaur

October 31, 2025
logo logo
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


Explore global affairs, political insights, and linguistic origins. Stay informed with our comprehensive coverage of world news, politics, and Lifestyle.

Top Categories
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Sports
  • Tech and Science
Usefull Links
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA

© 2024 americanfocus.online –  All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?