Every year, humanity produces about 62 million tons of electronic waste, a staggering figure that is constantly increasing and could reach 82 million tons by 2030. Electronic circuits are true wealth mines: they can contain up to 100 times more gold than natural ore.
Barely 22 to 25% of this waste is properly collected and recycled. The rest ends up buried, burned, or scattered in the environment, releasing toxic substances and wasting precious metals.
A chemical revolution in minutes
A technology developed by the Canadian company Excir now allows gold to be dissolved from printed circuits in just 4 minutes. Unlike traditional methods, this does not involve melting the metal at very high temperatures, but chemically dissolving it in a targeted manner.
This level of efficiency is spectacular: about 600 mobile phones are enough to produce a 7.5-gram gold ring.
The process relies on a precise mixture: an acid, an oxidizing agent, and an organic solvent. The gold is extracted at room temperature, with much less energy and toxic products. The waste is crushed, the gold-rich components are isolated, and then immersed in this chemical solution that captures the metal almost instantly.
An advancement confirmed by scientific research
Science validates this revolution. A study published in 2025 in Nature Sustainability shows that it is possible to achieve up to 100% gold recovery through alternative chemical processes, such as the use of derivatives of water disinfection products.
These methods use sulfur-rich polymers capable of selectively capturing gold, even in complex mixtures. These techniques avoid the most dangerous substances.
Even today, mining extraction often relies on cyanide or mercury. The latter is responsible for massive pollution: up to 33% of artisanal miners suffer from mercury vapor poisoning.
More sustainable gold?
The opening of a factory in Wales by the Royal Mint illustrates the shift to industrial scale. This facility can process up to 4,000 tons of printed circuits per year and recover about 500 kilograms of gold each year, as well as silver and copper.
This approach is part of what is called the circular economy: instead of extracting more and more natural resources, we valorize those already present in our waste. A tangible way to reduce pressure on ecosystems, CO² emissions, and deforestation linked to mining operations.
Of course, challenges remain: scaling up, ensuring competitive costs, and integrating these technologies into existing supply chains.
Fact Check:
– The article discusses a new technology developed by the Canadian company Excir that can extract gold from electronic waste in just minutes.
– The efficiency of the process is highlighted, with 600 mobile phones being enough to produce a 7.5-gram gold ring.
– Scientific research supports this new method, showing that up to 100% gold recovery is possible through alternative chemical processes.
– The shift towards a circular economy, where resources in waste are valued, is mentioned as a way to reduce the environmental impact of mining operations.
