A man from Guangdong, China, has attracted global attention after extracting gold worth more than $30,000 from discarded SIM cards and electronic waste. Known online as “Qiao the Hakka Gold Refiner,” he shared a video showing how he recovered 191.73 grams of gold from old SIM cards, sparking widespread discussion about electronic waste recycling.
According to experts, SIM cards and other electronic components contain a thin layer of gold. This gold is used to improve conductivity and prevent corrosion in circuits.
While the amount of gold in a single SIM card is extremely small, large quantities of electronic waste can collectively contain valuable metals.
In his video, Qiao demonstrated the extraction process, which involves using highly corrosive chemicals to separate gold from plastic and other materials. Specialists have strongly warned that this process is dangerous if done without proper training and equipment. Exposure to toxic chemicals can cause serious harm to health and can damage the environment if waste is not disposed of correctly.
Environmental experts stress that while gold recovery from e-waste is possible, it should only be carried out by licensed recycling facilities that follow safety and environmental standards. Informal or home-based methods pose major risks.
Qiao later clarified that his video was meant to highlight the hidden value of electronic recycling, not to encourage people to attempt gold extraction at home. His case has renewed interest in responsible e-waste management and the importance of recycling electronics safely.
As global electronic waste continues to grow, experts say proper recycling systems could help recover valuable resources while protecting people and the planet.
