The Royal Mint, Britain's centuries-old coin producer, has taken a significant step towards sustainability. One year ago, on August 7, 2023, the institution announced the establishment of a new facility in south Wales dedicated to extracting gold from electronic waste.
This 3,700 square metre factory aims to process up to 4,000 metric tons of printed circuit boards annually from various electronic devices such as televisions, laptops, and mobile phones. The facility utilizes patented chemistry from Canadian clean tech firm Excir to extract high-quality gold with 999.9 purity.
Sean Millard, chief growth officer at The Royal Mint, emphasized the importance of this initiative:
"The factory underpins our commitment to using sustainable precious metals and providing a new source of high quality, recovered gold. It allows us to reduce our reliance on mined materials and is another example of how we're working to decarbonise our operations."
This innovative approach aligns with The Royal Mint's ongoing efforts to enhance sustainability. The institution has been carbon neutral since 2018, demonstrating its commitment to environmental responsibility.
The new facility not only contributes to sustainable practices but also diversifies The Royal Mint's operations. Established in 886 AD, this institution has a rich history of producing coins for the United Kingdom and over 60 other countries. In recent years, it has expanded its offerings to include commemorative coins, bullion products, and even digital gold.
The e-waste recycling initiative comes at a time when gold production and recycling are seeing notable trends. In the second quarter of 2023, gold mine production reached a record high, while recycling rose to its highest level for a second quarter since 2012.
As The Royal Mint continues to innovate, it maintains its role as a key player in the numismatic world. With a vast collection of over 80,000 coins, medals, and minting equipment, and its visitor center "The Royal Mint Experience," the institution balances its historical significance with forward-thinking approaches to sustainability and technology.
This new venture in e-waste gold extraction represents another chapter in The Royal Mint's long history of adaptation and innovation, ensuring its relevance in an increasingly environmentally conscious world.