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Swiss researchers are developing a sustainable method that turns electronic waste into gold nuggets. Brazil could benefit from the technology, as it generates more than 2 million tons of e-waste per year.
A team of scientists from ETH Zurich, Switzerland, has developed a revolutionary technique for extracting gold from electronic waste, using a substance derived from whey. The method allows for the recovery of up to R$170 per ton of electronic waste, in an economical and environmentally safe manner. The discovery was published in the university's own scientific journal and reported by media outlets such as Época Negócios, the Sustentix portal and the Escola Educação website.
The new approach offers a viable alternative to traditional mining and the use of toxic products such as cyanide, bringing great possibilities both for industry and the environment.
A gold mine hidden in electronic waste
Electronic waste — made up of discarded computers, cell phones, circuit boards and household appliances — contains valuable metals such as gold, silver, copper and palladium. It is estimated that one ton of e-waste can contain up to 10 times more gold than one ton of raw ore, as reported in the study “Urban Mining” by CETEM/Mineralis.
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According to the United Nations (UN), the world generated more than 53,6 million tons of electronic waste in 2020, and less than 20% was recycled properly. Brazil alone produced around 2,1 million tons, making it the fifth largest generator of e-waste in the world.
How whey extraction works
The innovation by researchers at ETH Zurich involves creating a sponge made from protein nanofibrils extracted from whey — a common byproduct of the dairy industry.
According to Época Negócios, this sponge is used to selectively capture gold ions dissolved in liquids extracted from electronic boards. The ions are then converted into solid gold nuggets, with a purity of over 90%.
The method eliminates the use of toxic and complex substances, reducing the environmental impact of the urban mining process. Operating costs are lower, which makes the technique viable for implementation on an industrial scale.
Economic potential: up to R$ 170 thousand per ton
Based on calculations made by experts and cited by the Escola Educação portal, one ton of electronic waste can yield up to R$170 in gold — a value considerably higher than the return from traditional mining operations in natural deposits.
The value of the technique is not only due to the gold extracted, but also due to the possibility of recovering other precious metals and reusable components. The ETH Zurich project foresees that the technology could be adapted to extract silver and copper in future versions.
Brazil can benefit from technology
With one of the largest producers of electronic waste in Latin America, Brazil can directly benefit from this innovation. Its application in recycling cooperatives and electronic processing centers could generate income, jobs and reduce environmental impacts.
According to the GEA Institute, more than 90% of Brazilian e-waste is still disposed of incorrectly or underused, with only 3% being recycled by specialized companies. Adopting methods like ETH’s could transform this scenario.
