China Nonferrous Metallurgy

Electronic wastes from spent electronic and electrical equipment contain large amounts of valuable metals, including copper, gold, and silver. The content of these metals in the electronic wastes, compared with their occurrence in primary ores and other primary sources, is higherand easier to extract. Recovering these metal values therefore can bring significant social and economic benefits. Pyrometallurgy, in this regard, has its own strength: supporting large throughputs, relatively simple equipment and process flow, and high adaptability to raw materials. The paper is a summary of the current practices in China and other countries of recovering metal values from electronic wastes through pyrometallurgy, including the recovery of copper, precious metals, and offgas treatment. Finally the prospects of the electronic waste recovery industry moving towards a more systematic, extensive, and efficient operation are depicted.