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The man, from Guangdong province, runs an online account under the name Qiao the Hakka Gold Refiner and recently shared a video detailing his gold extraction process from sim cards, according to The Star.
The video quickly spread across Chinese social media, prompting surprise and curiosity among viewers. Some commenters suggested that collecting scrap could be more profitable than years of conventional work, while others said they had never known SIM cards could be a source of gold, Oddity Central reported.
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A gold nugget placed on electronic waste. Photo from Instagram |
Amid growing interest, the Guangdong-based blogger clarified that the gold did not come solely from discarded SIM cards but from processing nearly two tonnes of electronic waste.
SIM card chips typically feature an extremely thin layer of gold on their contact pins and circuit connections to improve conductivity and resistance to corrosion. Similar designs are used in bank card chips, identity cards, and other electronic components.
Experts cautioned that the extraction process shown in the video involves highly corrosive chemical reagents, which pose serious safety risks and could cause environmental pollution if handled improperly.
The blogger said the video was intended to be educational, highlighting the recycling value of certain electronic waste rather than creating a sensation.
