Computers To Coins – Royal Mint Opens Recycling Factory
The Royal Mint in Llantrisant, Wales, has begun a new venture to extract gold from circuit boards from electronic waste. This innovative project aims to address the growing problem of e-waste while creating a sustainable source of precious metal.
The Royal Mint’s new facility processes old circuit boards through a series of steps. First, the boards are heated to remove components. Then, they are sorted and sifted to isolate gold-containing parts. These pieces undergo a chemical process that extracts the gold at room temperature, using less energy than traditional methods.
This approach has several benefits:
- Low energy use
- Recyclable chemicals
- Quick gold extraction
- Keeps material processing in the UK
The plant aims to handle 4,000 tonnes of e-waste yearly. This could yield up to 450 kg of gold, worth about £27 million at current prices.
The Royal Mint’s move into e-waste processing marks a shift from its traditional role as the UK’s coin maker. With cash use declining, this new venture helps the company adapt and maintain jobs. Staff who previously made coins are now being trained to work in e-waste processing.
Beyond gold recovery, the Royal Mint is exploring uses for other materials found in circuit boards. It also has plans to expand the operation to be able to process whole computers, mobile phones, laptops etc. in addition to loose circuit boards.
This project showcases how businesses can adapt to changing times while addressing environmental issues. By turning WEEE into a valuable resource, the Royal Mint is setting an example for sustainable practices in the tech industry.
More information can be found on the Royal Mint website.