Recycling Gold: A Report
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Summary
This report will start by looking at how gold is used in our lives. It will then discuss why
it is used to make electronics such as computers, cameras and cell phones. Next the
report will explain why mining metal is harmful to the environment. It will outline the
basics of how to recycle gold from electronics and then come to a conclusion about
recycling electronics.
Introduction
Gold is known as one of the most valuable metals on earth. People have mined and
traded gold for centuries. Countries where gold is found have built prosperous
industries around mining this precious metal. Gold is also very resilient, meaning that
the total amount of gold mined in human history is still in circulation. It can easily be
melted down and used for other purposes.
The Many Uses of Gold
Today when we think of gold we think of money and of jewellry. But there are many
other important uses of this metal. For instance, gold can be used in tests to diagnose
certain diseases in the human body. Tiny particles of gold react to the presence of the
disease and cause a colour change on a test strip. Gold has recently been used in
technology developed to purify air and water. It has also proven useful in chemotherapy
treatments, because it helps the drugs target cancer cells without damaging healthy
cells. (Technology)
Gold in Electronics
Gold is used in computers because it is the most malleable of all metals. This means
that a person can easily hammer it down and change its shape. Gold is also the second
best conductor of electricity (after copper). It does not tarnish very much and can be
flattened into a very thin leaf. This makes it ideal for use in making electronics (We).
The motherboard, or circuit board, of a computer connects the various parts of a
computer. It has many gold-plated connectors and pins (We). Smaller electronics such
as tablets, cell phones, digital cameras and game devices are even more valuable than
computers because they require circuits but do not take up much space. So they are
easy to transport to a recycling centre where they can be taken apart and melted down.
Environmental Cost of Mining Gold
Mining gold from the earth can only be done in certain places, and it involves excavation
and mining. This causes disruption and damage to land that could be used for farming
or as habitat for many plants and animals. Mining gold requires lots of land, compared
to the amount of gold you produce. According to an article on the Greenxchange
website, one tonne of rock only produces an average of 10 grams of gold, the average
weight of one gold ring. The process of mining gold also produces lots of toxic waste,
such as mercury and cyanide. This means that in areas where gold mining happens,
the land and water are often polluted (Recycling).
How Gold Is Recycled
When electronics arrive at a recycling facility, their memories are erased by technicians
to be sure that information does not get into the wrong hands, thereby protecting the
privacy of the previous owners. Staff then separate plastic parts from the metals. The
metals are collected and thrown into a large smelter where they can be melted
down. Since different metals have different melting points, they settle into layers of
liquid which can be poured off into separate containers.
Recycling gold from electronics can also be done quite easily at home. Youtube videos
on the internet explain how you can use chemicals to extract gold from circuit
boards. Once separated from other parts of electronics, the gold can be sold at jewellry
stores. The amount of money paid will depend on the purity of the gold (See Appendix
A).
Conclusion
Recycling gold makes a lot of sense. It is a very valuable metal. Mining it from the
earth requires lots of land, equipment and effort, and results in very small amounts of
gold. However, old electronics can quite easily be recycled, either in small amounts at
home or in large amounts at a recycling centre.
Appendix A: Purity of Gold (source: “Understanding”)
10K gold – 42% gold, 58% filler
Most common in North America
14K gold – 58% gold, 42% filler
Common in America and Europe
18K gold – 75% gold, 25% filler
Common in Italy and Portugal
21K gold – 87% gold, 13% filler
Asian gold – notably Indian and Arabic gold
24K gold – 99% gold, 01% filler
Chinese gold jewellery
Works Cited
“Recycling Gold, Silver and Other Metals” Greenxchange. Feb. 13, 2014.
Greenxchange. January 5, 2015.
“Technology” World Gold Council. 2015. World Gold Council. Web. January 5, 2016.
“The Benefits of Gold Recycling” Gold Recycling Association of Canada. 2016. Gold
Recycling Association of Canada. Web. January 5, 2016.
“Understanding Gold Karats”. Cash for Gold.TO. 2015. Cash for Gold TO Inc. Web.
January 7, 2015.
“We Take Apart an Old Desktop Computer to Show What is Valuable.” The Refining
Company. 2009. The Refining Company. Web. Jan 7, 2016.