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Sustainable gold extraction from ore and electronic waste

Author

Listed:
  • Maximilian Mann

    (Flinders University)

  • Thomas P. Nicholls

    (Flinders University)

  • Harshal D. Patel

    (Flinders University)

  • Lynn S. Lisboa

    (Flinders University)

  • Jasmine M. M. Pople

    (Flinders University)

  • Le Nhan Pham

    (Flinders University)

  • Max J. H. Worthington

    (Flinders University)

  • Matthew R. Smith

    (Flinders University)

  • Yanting Yin

    (Flinders University)

  • Gunther G. Andersson

    (Flinders University)

  • Christopher T. Gibson

    (Flinders University
    Flinders University
    The University of Adelaide)

  • Louisa J. Esdaile

    (Flinders University)

  • Claire E. Lenehan

    (Flinders University)

  • Michelle L. Coote

    (Flinders University)

  • Zhongfan Jia

    (Flinders University)

  • Justin M. Chalker

    (Flinders University)

Abstract

Gold plays an essential role in the global economy and has wide applications in various industrial technologies. Currently, the gold supply relies heavily on mining processes that employ toxic substances such as cyanide salts and mercury metal, leading to substantial environmental pollution. Gold extraction approaches that do not rely on cyanide and mercury are needed to improve the overall sustainability of gold production. Here we develop an approach for gold leaching and recovery from ore and electronic waste. This approach first uses trichloroisocyanuric acid, activated by a halide catalyst, to oxidatively dissolve gold metal from ore and electronic waste, and then applies a polysulfide polymer sorbent to selectively bind gold from the leachate. The gold can be recovered in high purity by pyrolysing or depolymerizing the sorbent. The efficacy of this approach in gold extraction was validated using ore, electronic waste and other gold-containing waste. Overall, this work provides a viable approach to achieve greener gold production from both primary and secondary resources, improving the sustainability of the gold supply.

Suggested Citation

  • Maximilian Mann & Thomas P. Nicholls & Harshal D. Patel & Lynn S. Lisboa & Jasmine M. M. Pople & Le Nhan Pham & Max J. H. Worthington & Matthew R. Smith & Yanting Yin & Gunther G. Andersson & Christop, 2025. "Sustainable gold extraction from ore and electronic waste," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 8(8), pages 947-956, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:8:y:2025:i:8:d:10.1038_s41893-025-01586-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-025-01586-w
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