How to Remove Gold from Circuit Boards: Easy Step by Step Guide 2021

Since we live in a society increasingly dominated by technology, this also leads to an increasing use of mineral and metal resources to be used in all kinds of electronic devices.

If we add the above to the progressive decline in mining extraction that’s forecast for the next few years, this has made it necessary to recycle all electronic components to obtain precious metals such as gold, silver, palladium, etc — something known today as “urban mining”.

Circuit boards within electronic devices contain small amounts of gold in their connections due to its conductivity properties, among others. Many people and companies dispose of these equipment with circuit boards inside, while other companies and individuals carry out gold recovery from circuit boards activities.

In this practical guide, we’ll teach you some of the methods that individuals use the most to carry out the process of printed circuit board gold recovery. Let’s see how this works.

What are the different methods available to remove gold from circuit board?

There are several methods to recycle electronic waste, being these related to gold the most popular because they’re available to almost everyone.

Among the most used methods we have:

1. Removing the gold manually. This takes time, but offers good results.
2. Applying reverse electrolysis. In this case, a chemical solution and electricity are used to remove the gold from circuit boards.
3. Using chemical solvent baths. It’s possible to extract gold by dissolving it in a powerful chemical bath, then filtering and purifying it.

In this guide, we’ll explain two of the simplest methods, so with a few relatively easy-to-get products and some preparation, anyone can do it.

Tools Needed for Gold Recovery

1. Protective equipment

• Protection mask
• Goggles
• Industrial gloves

2. Tools

• Glass container. Preferably those that resists extreme heat.
• Metal bowl or tray.
• A glass or metal rod to stir.
• Cloth filter like those used for coffee.
• Steel tweezers.

3. Chemicals

• Concentrated nitric acid
• Hydrochloric acid
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Methanol
• Gasoline

Note that the chemicals and tools you’re going to use will depend on the type of procedure you want to apply. More on this shortly.

Step by step guide for extracting gold from circuit boards

Warning

Always remember that chemicals and acids can irritate or burn your skin. In addition, the gases that acids emit can also hurt your eyes and cause very unpleasant effects when inhaled. So the first step is always:

Make sure you wear all your protective equipment: mask, glasses and gloves!

Procedure number 1: using nitric acid

1. Break the circuit board into small pieces.
2. Place the smashed circuit board in the glass container.
3. Pour nitric acid into the glass container over the circuit boards.
4. Stir the mixture with the glass or metal rod until the contents become a uniform fluid.
5. Once the gold has separated from the plates — it may take some time — strain the nitric acid from the mix using the filter.
6. Take out the pieces that aren’t melted. These pieces are the ones containing the gold.
7. Separate any plastic stuck to the gold manually.

Procedure number 2: using hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide

1. Break the circuit board into small pieces.
2. Place the smashed circuit board in the glass container.
3. In another container, mix two parts of hydrochloric acid and one part of hydrogen peroxide (at 3%).
4. Pour your mixture over the circuit boards until they’re fully submerged.
5. You must wait for about a week, giving the container a stir every day with the glass or metal rod.
6. The acid will gradually darken, and the gold will separate from the scraps, floating on the surface.
7. Pour the mixture using the filter and another glass container. The gold flakes will stay in the filter.
8. Wash the gold flakes with methanol, then with water to remove any residue.

Procedure number 3: using fire

1. Break the circuit board into small pieces.
2. Place the shattered circuit board in the metal container.
3. Sprinkle some gasoline on the plates and set them on fire.
4. Turn the pieces regularly using the steel tweezers and wait until they’re almost charred.
5. Turn off the heat and let the pieces cool down a bit, but not too cold because the plastic can harden again.
6. Break the pieces of plastic attached to the gold parts and finish separating them manually.

Conclusions

Using the methods we’ve listed here, many people around the world manage to obtain good amounts of gold each year, with which they manage to get some extra money, although not enough to get rich.

Many large companies perform similar procedures each year to lower the cost of gold mining and assist in the recycling of electronic waste, which contributes to our society and planet.

Just remember: always take the appropriate safety measures and dispose of chemicals and other waste properly.