Mining Gold From E-Waste

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) estimates that all waste from electronic devices worldwide could be worth some 55 billion euros. One of the most precious materials that can be sourced from e-waste is gold. The total volume is far lower than the other materials, standing at 500 metric tons. Still, in sum, it would be worth approximately 18.8 billion euros.

By far the biggest chunk of e-waste consists of plastics, which amount to a staggering 12.2 million tons that are worth 15 billion euros. There are some 60 elements listed in the periodic system that can be sourced from the electro waste, like silver, palladium and copper.