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How much precious metals in electronic devices

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earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2007-04-23          141453

I want to investigate recycling electronic devices on a small scale. I need input on how much potential precious metals are in a typical PC for example, what devices would have more metals than others and the biggie--how to render the metals from say, switches with gold contacts. Any all info appreciated! I'm starting from ground-zero--had a brain-fart and want to see where this will lead to.

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How much precious metals in electronic devices

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kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2007-04-23          141458

I don't think there's much, especially on commercial products. There's a little gold on connectors, maybe a few microns, but the cheaper the product the less gold there is. Some real cheap connectors are only good for a few insertions before the gold is worn off and cheapness is the name of the game in commercial electronics. Then you get to worry about hazardous waste disposal, like lead from solder and components. ....

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How much precious metals in electronic devices

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Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2007-04-23          141461


Can I recommend a metal detector at the beach? Tough night trying to read and watch the Hooters contest! ....

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How much precious metals in electronic devices

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SG8NUC
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 579 g
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2007-04-23          141472

You should have opened a mine in Alabama. ....

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How much precious metals in electronic devices

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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2007-04-24          141483

A local metal recycler up here has started doing it.

He claims the precious metals are just a nice bonus, the real money is in the other metals. Despite what the price of gold is, he makes far more from the aluminum, steel and especially copper than anything else. They even brought in a new gizmo, sort of like a microwave with a conveyor belt running through the middle, to break down the hard plastic into its base components and some diesel fuel.

He makes pretty good coin doing it, but then again he also processes several tractor trailer loads EVERY DAY.

Best of luck. ....

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How much precious metals in electronic devices

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earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2007-04-24          141502

Murf that "gizmo", does it make a high-pitched whine? Is it ultrasonic, or use radio waves as in induction to generate heat?

Diesel, eh? Pre tell. Have you seen this up close and personal? How far from Detroit? ....

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AnnBrush
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 463 Troy OH
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2007-04-25          141519

I had a look at what recyclers are paying for printed circuit board (pcb) scrap - quantities are for truck-loads (40000 lbs)
1) Whole PC's assembled or dissasembled: $ 40 / ton FOB.
2) What they call high grade PCB scrap (must contain gold plated contacts) no cases only electronic boards populated or unpopulated (with ic's) $1340 / ton FOB.

All the indications on the web are that extraction of base and precious metals is a fairly sophisticated process requiring substantial investment in specialized machinery.

Most but not all indicate that the precious metals are the primary motivation for the recycling process. That of course depends on what the various metals are trading for. A lot of the recycling done in Europe is done to comply with environmental regs. ....

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How much precious metals in electronic devices

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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2007-04-25          141520

Jeff, I'm not sure how it works exactly.

It is about a 5 hour drive from Detroit........ doing the speed limit..... ;)

It's about 270 miles, but lunch is on me if you want to come have a peek, it's only about a half hour from me.

Have a look at the site, maybe they shed some light on it.

Best of luck. ....


Link:   GEEP (a division of Barrie Metals)

 
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