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Recovery of Precious Metals from Electronic Scrap.

Authors
Dannenberg-RO; Maurice-JM; Potter-GM
Source
NTIS: PB 213 065 :19 pages
Link
NIOSHTIC No.
10008933
Abstract
The Bureau of Mines investigations described in this report were undertaken to devise a process to economically recover precious metals and copper from low-grade, complex electonic scrap generated in large quantities by military and civilian electronic operations. Leaching with various media is applicable to certain selected items of electronic scrap but cannot be practically applied to complex mixtures of scrap. A process comprising incineration, caustic leaching to remove aluminum, smelting with a siliceaous slag, and electrolysis recovered 99.9-percent-pure 7,000 ounces per ton of combined precious metals. Silver, gold, and copper recoveries were 93, 95, 87 percent, respectively. Cost analysis indicated that an alternative process using direct smelting of the scrap to make assayable products for sale to a custom smelter would provide better overall financial returns.
Publication Date
19720101
Document Type
IH; Report of Investigation;
Fiscal Year
1972
NTIS Accession No.
PB-213065
NTIS Price
A03
Identifying No.
RI 7683
NIOSH Division
SLRC;
Source Name
NTIS: PB 213 065
Page last reviewed: September 2, 2020
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Education and Information Division