Beatrice Lang
Gold is a precious metal that is highly sought-after and can be found in a variety of electrical devices. While some modern devices like mobile phones and computers contain gold, it is present in very small amounts, making extraction costly and time-consuming. However, older electronic devices, often referred to as golden age items, are more likely to contain larger quantities of gold. These include VCRs, film cameras, early digital cameras, desktop computers, televisions, stereo components, and electronic musical instruments. The gold content in these devices can make them valuable for recycling or reselling, especially when collected in bulk.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do electrical devices contain gold? | Yes, electrical devices contain small amounts of gold. |
| Which devices contain gold? | Game consoles, VCRs, film cameras, computers, laptops, mobile phones, laser disk players, digital cameras, small household appliances, etc. |
| How to recover gold from these devices? | Gold can be recovered from gold-plated elements, CPUs, motherboards, integrated circuits, contacts, pins, and printed circuit boards. |
| Is it profitable to recover gold from these devices? | Yes, but only when done in large quantities as the process is time-consuming and dangerous. |
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What You'll Learn
Gold in computers
Gold is present in many electronic devices, including computers. The amount of gold found in computers varies depending on the age and type of the machine. For example, industrial video equipment often contains a higher proportion of gold than other types, with up to 56 grams per machine. Older computers from the 1960s and 1970s also tend to contain more gold, as technology was less advanced and the military sought to ensure their devices were resistant to heat and corrosion.
In modern computers, gold can be found in various parts, including motherboards, printed circuit boards, processors, and other components. The motherboard is often the best source of gold in computers, as the edges of most components on the board have gold contacts and connectors where the wires slide in. The surface of the motherboard is also often covered in a thin layer of gold. Other parts of a computer that may contain gold include Random Access Memory (RAM) chips, internal modems, PCI boards, ethernet ports, GPUs, and other peripherals like drives. These parts often contain gold-plated pins and gold on their surfaces and connection points.
The presence of gold in computers is due to its desirable properties as a material. Gold is an excellent conductor of electricity, which is crucial for the functioning of semiconductors. Additionally, gold has low oxidation levels, meaning it does not tarnish or rust over time due to interaction with oxygen. Gold is also pliable and can be shaped to fit into small areas, such as wires.
While computers do contain gold, the amount present in individual devices is typically very small. For example, an average computer contains about one-fifth of a gram of gold, worth about $12, while laptops contain around one-tenth of a gram, worth approximately $6. As such, extracting gold from a small number of computers is usually not profitable, especially considering the labour and costs involved in the extraction process. However, recycling gold from computers on a large scale can be more financially viable, and there are specialised companies that legally recover gold from electronic waste.
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Gold in mobile phones
Gold is a highly desired noble metal that is used in the production of electronic devices. It is also one of the most expensive metals in the world, with its worth continuing to increase. Mobile phones are among the many electronic devices that contain gold. However, the amount of gold in a single smartphone is relatively low.
Sources of Gold in Mobile Phones
Gold is often found in several areas of a smartphone. The circuit board, or motherboard, is coated with a thin layer of gold. This gold coating ensures efficient communication between the various components on the motherboard. Gold is also found in the SIM card, which connects the phone to its network. Additionally, many of the internal connectors and contacts in a smartphone are gold-plated to ensure reliable connections between components like the battery, speakers, cameras, and processors.
Gold Recovery from Mobile Phones
The small amount of gold in mobile phones makes it cost-ineffective to extract gold from a single device or even a small number of devices. However, the collective value of gold in the millions of phones produced annually makes gold a significant factor in the electronics supply chain. Recycling gold from mobile phones on a large scale can be a viable option. According to the European Commissioner for the Environment, it takes a ton of ore to extract 1 gram of gold, but the same amount of gold can be obtained by recycling the materials in 41 mobile phones.
Recycling Gold from E-Waste
Discarded electrical and electronic equipment, also known as e-waste, can be recycled by specialized companies to recover gold legally and extensively. The recycling process for gold is time-consuming and dangerous, requiring appropriate facilities and chemical expertise. However, it is an essential step towards promoting a circular economy and reducing waste.
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Gold in household appliances
Gold is one of the most expensive and sought-after noble metals globally, and its value continues to rise. It is used in the production of electronic devices and appliances and can be recovered through recycling. While modern electronic devices contain gold, the amount is relatively low, and it is cost-ineffective to extract gold from them unless there is over one ton of discarded material.
Gold can be found in many household appliances, from toasters to washing machines, and even microwaves. Microwaves, for example, contain a small amount of gold in their circuit boards, and refrigerators and air conditioning units often have gold-plated connectors and switches. Smaller appliances like blenders, coffee makers, and toasters may also contain gold-plated contacts and connectors.
In addition to appliances, gold can be found in other household items such as jewelry, decorative items, and kitchenware. Picture frames, especially older ones, may have gold leaf accents or gold-plated detailing, and jewelry boxes often have gold-plated hardware such as hinges or latches. Kitchen utensils and cookware may also be coated with a thin layer of gold plating, which can wear down over time to reveal the underlying base metal.
It is important to note that while these items may contain gold, the overall value may not be as high as expected. For example, it would take quite a few gold-plated utensils to see a sizeable payout. However, by exploring various household items and disassembling old appliances, one can uncover hidden treasures and turn scrap gold into profit.
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Gold in film cameras
Gold can be found in a variety of electronic devices, including computers, laptops, smartphones, and old film cameras. The limited-edition gold film camera is an example of this. These gold-plated cameras are often regarded as collector's items and are known for their rarity, shine, and high value.
The tradition of gold-plated cameras can be traced back to Leica, a brand closely associated with both photographic history and luxury. Following the success of the Leica II, the company released a limited edition of four gold-plated Leica II cameras, known as the Leica Luxus II. The predecessor to the Luxus II, the Luxus 1, was based on the Model IA camera and is considered rarer, with 95 units produced between 1929 and 1930.
Gold-plated cameras are often sought-after by collectors, who consider them the pinnacle of camera collecting. However, some photographers may dislike the aesthetics of gold-plated cameras, finding the thin and soft plating less durable and prone to an ugly, blotchy appearance over time.
While gold-plated film cameras hold a certain allure for collectors, it is important to note that the presence of gold in electronic devices is not limited to cameras. Gold can be found in various electronic components, such as computer boards, motherboards, integrated circuits, contacts, and pins, where it serves functional purposes beyond its decorative use in limited-edition cameras.
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Gold in game consoles
Gold is one of the most expensive and sought-after noble metals globally, with its worth continuing to increase. It is used in the production of electronic devices and can be recovered through recycling. Gold is found in computers and laptops, with the possibility of recovery from motherboards, contacts, CPUs, and other components.
Game consoles, as electronic devices, also contain gold. Gold is used in the electronic parts of video games, including the printed circuit boards (PCBs). Other minerals employed alongside gold in these devices include copper, silver, tin, and nickel. While the amount of gold in each game console is minuscule, estimated at only 0.04% gold by weight in a typical PCB, the cumulative value of this precious metal in all discarded consoles can be significant.
The presence of gold in game consoles and other electronic devices has implications for recycling. As gold is valuable, recycling old electronic devices can reduce waste in landfills and decrease the need for new mineral mining. However, the process of extracting gold from electronics is time-consuming and dangerous, requiring specialized companies with the appropriate facilities and expertise to separate metals from plastic elements safely and effectively.
Some "golden age" electronic devices, which are easier to find in junk shops and yard sales, contain larger amounts of gold due to their bigger printed circuit boards. These include old VCRs, Sony Betamax players, camcorders, early digital cameras, old desktop computers, and peripheral devices like modems and scanners.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, many electrical devices contain small amounts of gold.
Devices such as computers, laptops, cell phones, VCRs, digital cameras, and small household appliances like toasters, air conditioners, and hair dryers contain gold.
The amount of gold in these devices varies. For example, larger devices like laser disc players contain more gold than smaller mobile devices.
Extracting gold from individual devices is generally not profitable due to the low amounts present. However, recycling companies can recover gold from discarded electrical equipment in bulk.
Recycling gold from electrical devices requires separating metals from plastic components, which should be done by specialized companies with the appropriate facilities and expertise.
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