A CHINESE MAN REPORTedly extracted 191 grams of gold from old SIM cards, valued at around ₹29 lakhs. The story highlights something most people don’t realize — electronic waste contains trace amounts of precious metals.

SIM cards and other electronic components use tiny layers of gold because it conducts electricity efficiently and resists corrosion. Individually, the gold content is microscopic. But when processed in massive quantities, recovery can become economically viable. Professional e-waste recyclers use chemical and industrial refining methods to extract these metals safely and efficiently.

However, gold extraction from electronics requires technical expertise and strict safety precautions, as the chemicals involved can be hazardous. The bigger takeaway is not just the gold value, but the growing importance of responsible e-waste recycling in a world overflowing with discarded devices.