Australia is now making global headlines for something far more sustainable — a breakthrough technique that extracts gold from electronic waste (e-waste) without the toxic environmental costs of traditional mining or refining.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), in partnership with a Melbourne-based startup, have unveiled a new gold extraction method that could transform how the world recycles precious metals from discarded electronics. This pioneering process is being hailed as a major step forward in the quest for greener, more efficient recycling of smartphones, laptops, circuit boards, and other e-waste.
The E-Waste Gold Rush
E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally, with over 60 million tonnes generated each year — and that number is rising. Much of this discarded technology contains trace but valuable amounts of gold, silver, and other rare metals. According to the Global E-Waste Monitor, up to 7% of the world’s gold may currently be locked away in e-waste.
Traditionally, retrieving that gold has involved energy-intensive smelting or the use of highly toxic chemicals like cyanide or mercury. These processes not only pose significant environmental risks but are also often too costly to justify small-scale recovery.
The new Australian technique changes that.
A Greener Gold Recovery Method
The method, developed by Dr. Elsie Nguyen and her team at UNSW’s Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT), uses a proprietary combination of organic solvents and bio-based acids derived from natural sources, such as citrus peels and agricultural waste. This eco-friendly “green solvent” is capable of isolating gold from circuit boards with remarkable efficiency — up to 99% purity — without releasing harmful byproducts.
Unlike traditional chemical leaching, this process operates at room temperature and does not require expensive high-pressure equipment or emit dangerous fumes.
“What we’ve developed is a closed-loop, non-toxic process that not only extracts gold cleanly, but also allows us to recover and reuse the solvent multiple times,” said Dr. Nguyen. “It’s a win-win for the environment and the economy.”
Local Impact, Global Implications
This innovation is already being piloted by EnviroGold, a Melbourne-based e-waste recycling firm. The company has adapted the UNSW process into a modular gold recovery unit that can be deployed in urban recycling centers, mining waste facilities, or even remote locations in the developing world.
According to EnviroGold CEO Jason Connors, early trials have shown that one tonne of e-waste can yield as much as 300 grams of gold using this method — equivalent to the output of many small gold mines, but without the destruction of landscapes or water systems.
“This could redefine urban mining,” Connors noted. “Australia has the chance to become a global leader in sustainable metal recovery.”
Looking Ahead
The Australian government has expressed interest in scaling the technology nationwide. As part of its National Waste Policy Action Plan, the country aims to significantly reduce landfill waste and increase its circular economy practices by 2030.
The technique has already garnered attention from recycling firms in Japan, the European Union, and the United States. There’s even talk of licensing the method for use in spacecraft, where e-waste recycling in closed environments will be essential.
In a world scrambling to balance technological growth with environmental stewardship, this new gold extraction technique offers hope — and a shining example of how innovation can mine value from yesterday’s trash to create a cleaner tomorrow.New Australian Technique Revolutionizes Gold Extraction from E-Waste
