“The Royal Mint Commemorates World First by Extracting Gold from E-Waste”
The Royal Mint, UK’s esteemed coinmaker, has made history by launching its Precious Metals Recovery factory in South Wales. The factory will be responsible for extracting gold from electronic waste, including old phones and TVs, and repurposing it to create commemorative coins and jewellery. This innovative approach has been hailed as a “world first” and marks a significant step towards a more sustainable future.
Speaking about this groundbreaking initiative, Royal Mint Chief Executive Anne Jessopp stated, “This is a transformation for the future of our organization. The opening of our Precious Metals Recovery factory is a pivotal step in our journey.” The factory has the capacity to process up to 4,000 tonnes of printed circuit boards from e-waste annually. In addition to recycling the circuit boards, the Royal Mint is also working towards receiving entire electronic devices, such as computers, mobile phones, and server equipment, to be involved in the full process.
This move comes as a response to a recent UN report, which highlighted the alarming rate at which e-waste is increasing. It is estimated that by 2022, e-waste will reach a record 62 million tonnes, which is five times higher than the rate of e-waste recycling. The UK is among the top offenders per capita, according to Mark Loveridge, Business Unit Director at Precious Metals Recovery. He further explained that the factory’s processes, aimed at reducing mining, are a “world first.” He also noted that the UK’s e-waste output is equivalent to about 25 kilograms per person, or the weight of a 50-inch TV.
The amount of gold extracted from e-waste is significant, with approximately 165 grams of gold per tonne of circuit boards. This equates to around £9,000 per tonne. The Mint’s renowned 886 collection, which features rings made from recycled gold, requires around 600 mobile phones to produce one ring, weighing 7.5 grams, similar to the weight of a £1 coin.
In addition to the gold and silver, the factory also recovers non-precious metals such as copper, tin, steel, and aluminium. These materials are then sent to other companies as raw materials to create new products, such as sheets, bars, and rods.
Mark Loveridge aptly compared the process to the common practice of collecting spare change in a jar at home, saying, “It’s the same with our electronic devices. You probably have a couple of mobile phones sitting in a drawer or a TV in the back bedroom or garage that can be recycled and have their materials recovered.”
The Royal Mint’s initiative to extract gold from e-waste sets a remarkable precedent for other organizations to follow. By embracing sustainable practices and reducing the need for mining, the Mint is making a significant contribution towards a greener and more environmentally conscious future.
