How To Recover Precious Metals From Cellphones For Cash

End Of Life Electronic Equipment Are Worth More Dead Than Alive!

There is a huge opportunity to recover precious metals from cellphones because 130 million plus cellphones are retired annually in the U.S.

Disclaimer: I am an Amazon Associate; therefore, this post may contain affiliate links for me to earn a commission. RuralMoney.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Collectively, these cell phones weigh about 14,000 metric tons.

Annually retired cell phones contain almost:

· 2,100 metric tons of copper
· 46 metric tons of silver
· 3.9 metric tons of gold
· 2 metric tons of palladium
· 0.04 metric tons of platinum

The good news is recovery and recycling of cell phones for the extraction of precious metals are in early stages of development.

The recycling of electronics in general is also in early stages of development.

Big industry say that for cell phone recycling to grow, recycling must become economically viable.

For many people, it is economically viable.

They’re recovering precious metals from cell phones in their garage and making a nice living.

On the other hand, the “experts” would have us believe that efficient recovery infrastructure, product designs that simplify dismantling, and other changes are needed to facilitate the growth of cell phone recycling.

As you can see in the video, a homepreneur is doing it very well.

Don’t wait until the market is saturated until you decide to get into this lucrative home based business.

Other recyclable cell phone components include:

• Gallium Arsenide used in the amplifier and receive
• Magnesium compounds are alloyed to make the cell phone cases

There is huge potential for making a lot of money in the recovery of precious metals from cell phones because these are critical minerals.

The Market Is Hot For Gold, Silver And Cellphones

Again, there is a huge opportunity to recover precious metals from cellphones because 130 million plus cellphones are retired annually in the U.S.

According to ResearchGate.net, “Demand for gold and silver has been escalating with increasing usage of electronic equipment globally. Around 267.3 MT of gold and 7275 MT of silver are being consumed annually for manufacturing mobile phones, laptops and other electronic equipment. However, only 15% is recuperated from these equipment; the remainder lies in the storage yards or landfills. The waste comprise glass, plastics, wires, batteries, PCBs, metal casing, etc. The PCB is composed of precious metals, which creates immense purpose for recycling and recovery. This paper characterizes and assesses the recoverable metallic fraction of gold and silver from PCBs of mobile phones. The methodology is based on dismantling of the mobile handset and subjecting the PCBs to roasting and acid digestion. The digested samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy and the content of gold and silver in the PCBs was to be found in the range of 0.009–0.017% and 0.25–0.79% by weight respectively.”

In other words, the demand for gold and silver for electronic equipment is greater than supply.

End Of Life Mobile Phones, Etc. Are Worth More Dead Than Alive

Even though cellphones are made of more than 50 components as a comprehensive unit, it is considered hazardous waste and e-waste.

That’s why most people throw them away and/or keep them for fear of improper disposal.

However, that just means that there is a low barrier of entry into this business because the supply is so great.

Since mobile phones, etc. are a municipal solid waste and public health concern, you may be doing them a service.

But, there are other concerns about the disposal of the “waste” components that you don’t want.

How To Recover Precious Metals From Cellphones, Etc.?

Not many people know that gold and silver are present in electronic equipment.

Or, that these precious metals can be extracted from obsolete and/or damaged mobile phones and other electronic devices.

The fact is these scrapped electronics contain appreciable amounts of gold in their composition on the mother board.

Some research state that the gold content used in each device may vary.

Also, the gold content found in some devices is much higher than the average levels found in gold ore, which is 5-10 grams of gold per ton.

Extracting the gold and silver seems to be a process for a someone who is highly capable of using common hand tools.

But, if you also choose to use chemicals, it seems more disadvantageous.

Related Income Opportunity: Guide On How To Flip Secondhand Appliances Without Being Repairman

~Dr. Rural Money