U.K. Royal Mint Launches Urban Mining Initiative to Extract Gold from E-Waste

There is value in the electronic equipment that is thrown away, says the Royal Mint

The U.K.’s Royal Mint has opened a new factory in Wales focused on extracting gold from electronic waste, aiming to promote sustainable practices and reduce reliance on traditional mining, CBS News reported today. The facility utilizes Canadian technology to process 4,000 tons of printed circuit boards annually, recovering valuable gold from discarded devices like phones and laptops.

This initiative comes as global e-waste generation rises by 2.6 million tons each year, according to UN’s Institute for Training and Research, with less than 25% being properly recycled. The Royal Mint estimates that approximately $62 billion worth of recoverable natural resources remains unaccounted for, contributing to pollution risks worldwide.

The new factory not only supports the mint’s commitment to sustainability but also creates jobs and reskilling opportunities for employees. As cash usage declines, this innovative approach to urban mining aims to preserve finite resources and tackle the growing environmental challenge posed by e-waste.