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Science & Technology

Can gold be extracted from human waste ?

By T.K. Randall
March 24, 2015 · Comment icon 31 comments

Could 'mining' sewage yield large amounts of gold ? Image Credit: PD - Swiss Banker
Scientists have proposed a rather unorthodox way of prospecting for gold and other valuable metals.
Over the last few years techniques have been developed to use the waste we flush down our toilets for everything from powering a bus to producing drinkable water, but now experts have revealed that sewage might also contain significant amounts of precious metals such as gold that could be extracted and reused.

The discovery suggests that it may be commercially viable to "mine" these metals, a process that would also help to reduce the amount of waste materials that would normally need to be buried or burnt.

"If you can get rid of some of the nuisance metals that currently limit how much of these biosolids we can use on fields and forests, and at the same time recover valuable metals and other elements, that's a win-win," said Kathleen Smith of the US Geological Survey.
A study by Arizona State University indicated that a city with around one million inhabitants could flush anywhere in the region of $13 million worth of precious metals down the toilet every year.

In Japan this idea has already been taken a step further with the opening of an actual treatment facility that extracts as much gold from sewage as can be found in some commercial gold mines.

Whether people will actually want to buy items made from these metals however remains to be seen.

Source: The Guardian | Comments (31)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #22 Posted by Aus Der Box Skeptisch 9 years ago
Why yes! As a matter of fact, I am digging for gold!
Comment icon #23 Posted by Aus Der Box Skeptisch 9 years ago
Now that is just plain wrong, what is next ? Beer ? the new gold logger.... lol though Likely vodka, you can make vodka out of anything...
Comment icon #24 Posted by russ117044 9 years ago
The amount of energy needed to extract gold from sewage makes the whole operation not worth it.
Comment icon #25 Posted by RabidMongoose 9 years ago
Scientists have proposed a rather unorthodox way of prospecting for gold and other valuable metals. Read More: http://www.unexplain...rom-human-waste Let's try to keep the comments on this one constructive and sensible please folks. I will award a cookie to the first person who can present picture proof of laying a golden egg (or poo) lol.
Comment icon #26 Posted by Harte 9 years ago
Why yes! As a matter of fact, I am digging for gold! There's GOT to be a pony in here somewhere! Harte
Comment icon #27 Posted by mynameisachu 9 years ago
i don't know about you but i am hitting the next gas station that sells tacos
Comment icon #28 Posted by Red Moon 9 years ago
Just imagine the wealthy covered in poo bling!!!!
Comment icon #29 Posted by shrooma 9 years ago
I will award a cookie to the first person who can present picture proof of laying a golden egg (or poo) lol. . OR poo....? that's a VERY niche pic you're after there RM, I COULD post one, but the cookie would've gone soft by the time my ban had ended..... .
Comment icon #30 Posted by Lenore Graves 9 years ago
the new gold logger.... lol though Likely vodka, you can make vodka out of anything... That's what I was thinking, seems like it would cost more to extract then you would get in return... and also...gross! Talk about dirty money
Comment icon #31 Posted by minera 9 years ago
Another reason for the aliens to abduct us. Maybe all that probing was a disguise for mining gold.........


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