Gold mining has been linked for decades to the use of hazardous compounds that affect ecosystems and the health of mining communities. However, the increasing generation of electronic wastewhich in 2022 reached 62 million tons worldwide, has opened a new avenue for recovering valuable metals such as gold, with less environmental impact.
A scientific approach to sustainable gold mining
The method presented by Flinders, led by Professor Justin Chalker, combines a reagent commonly used in disinfection with a sulfur-rich polymer that selectively traps dissolved gold. By using saline water and light to activate the chemical processes, this technique enables the extraction of high-purity gold. high-purity gold even in complex mixtures such as printed circuit boards.
This polymer can also be broken down to release the gold and reused. This is a closed-loop model that targets the circular economy in urban and small-scale mining.
Global support for mercury substitution
Currently, thousands of artisanal miners use mercury to amalgamate gold, which generates highly toxic emissions. The new technology, tested in collaboration with specialists from the United States and Peru, seeks to offer safer alternatives in regions that rely on these polluting methods.
Flinders’ initiative demonstrates that it is possible to recover gold from multiple sources without compromising the environment and opens the door to new regulations and opportunities in sustainable mining.
Direct application in electronic waste
Researchers were able to extract gold from components such as RAM cards and motherboards efficiently, pointing to a future where electronic landfills could become urban mines. The process, documented in the journal Nature Sustainabilityis also notable for its low cost and ease of implementation.
This method represents a tangible advance towards circular solutions that respond to the e-waste crisis while recovering critical resources in an environmentally responsible manner.
According to team member Dr. Max Mann.
Future projection and industrial scaling
With successful results in laboratory tests, the team is preparing to collaborate with the mining industry and e-waste recyclers in larger scale tests. Their goal is to demonstrate that a low-impact model of gold low-impact, high-efficiency and globallyhigh efficiency and global application.
As the demand for gold increases in technology, medicine and energy, this type of research could completely transform the extractive processes of the future.
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Source and photo: Flinders University
