7 August 2024
The Royal Mint, the UK’s official coin maker, has launched a groundbreaking initiative to extract gold from electronic waste at its new facility in Llantrisant, Wales. Using an innovative, eco-friendly chemical process, the plant can process up to 4,000 tonnes of e-waste annually, potentially yielding 450kg of gold worth approximately £27 million. This venture not only addresses the growing global e-waste problem but also helps the Royal Mint diversify its operations in response to declining cash usage. The extracted gold will be used in jewelry production and eventually in commemorative coins, demonstrating a sustainable approach to precious metal sourcing while preserving jobs and reducing reliance on traditional mining methods.