Hidden Treasure in Trash: New Processes Unlock 22-Karat โGold โฃfrom โขElectronic waste
Zurich, Switzerland โ – What many discardโฃ as junk could be a goldmine, literally.โฃ researchers have developed innovative methods to extract 22-karat gold from discarded electronic components and even selectively bind to dissolvedโฃ gold using a novel sulfur polymer, offering a enduring and economically viable alternative toโ traditional, environmentally damaging mining practices. The โadvancements promise to revolutionize electronic waste management and potentially reshape the gold industry.
The โฃtraditional gold extraction process relies heavily on cyanide, a highly toxic chemical posingโฃ significant environmental and health risks. โHowever, a team at ETH Zurich has pioneered a process to recover โฃgold from e-waste โคwithout the use of this risky substance. Together, a breakthrough involves a sulfur polymer capable of selectively capturing โdissolved gold; after controlled heating โor chemicalโ treatment, โthe precious metalโฃ is โreleased in pure form, and โthe polymer is โreusable.
This isn’t just about safer recycling;โ itโค represents โขa potential “paradigm shift in mining,” according to researchers.The new methods address growing concerns about electronic waste – a rapidly โคexpandingโ global problem โ- and offer a pathway towards aโ circular economy. Benefits โฃinclude reduced electronic waste,effective gold recovery,andโ the potential for job creation in areasโ like technological waste management,chemical engineering,andโ industrial โคsustainability.โ
The sulfur polymer technology, in particular, offers a sustainable and economical option forโค gold recovery. Beyond the ETH Zurich process, โคthe innovation is projected to create new โemploymentโค opportunities. While still inโ the researchโ stage, these discoveries point towards โaโ future where gold โextraction is cleaner, more efficient, and deliversโข both economic and ecological advantages.