Recycling mobile phones has been in the news lately. You may not
realize it, but there are a host of precious metals in that
little handset that keeps you connected on-the-go. Gold and
silver are just two elements that manufactures put into that
magic box you talk into. Recovering these metals is called
“urban mining”, and it’s becoming more profitable as the prices
of metals reach near-record prices. Recovered materials are
reused in new electronic parts and gold and silver is melted
down to be sold as ingots for jewelers and precious metals
investors. Gold is often used in cell phone circuit boards
because gold conducts electricity better than copper. But even
copper is reaching record prices as developing countries expand
their electronic infrastructures. Recycling mobile phones
produces more gold ton for ton over the average goldmine. A ton
of gold ore contains on average 5 grams (0.18 ounce) of gold,
while a ton of used mobile phones contain 150 grams (5.3 ounces)
of gold. Urban miners don’t get to use e