A man in Guangdong Province, China, has sparked widespread online attention after sharing a process through which he successfully extracted 191.73 grams of gold from discarded SIM cards.

A miracle from electronic waste: 191.73 grams of pure gold
As global gold prices continue to hit record highs, a video documenting the transformation of electronic waste into solid gold has gone viral across Chinese social media platforms. The video’s protagonist, a resident of Guangdong, demonstrated how old and seemingly worthless SIM cards can conceal hidden value when processed correctly.

According to technology outlet Fast Technology, the video opens with large piles of discarded SIM card chips stacked together as scrap. Through a complex chemical treatment involving multiple meticulous steps, the man gradually processed the waste materials into their most valuable component.

The final result stunned viewers: a gleaming gold bar weighing exactly 191.73 grams. Based on current market prices, the gold is estimated to be worth over 120,000 yuan (approximately US$17,000).

Experts note that extracting gold from electronic components is not a new concept, but it requires advanced technical expertise. The principle lies in the structure of microchips. Manufacturers coat the contact pins and circuit connection points of SIM chips with an extremely thin layer of gold—not for decoration, but to exploit gold’s superior physical properties. Gold provides stable electrical conductivity and exceptional resistance to oxidation and corrosion over time. This design is not limited to SIM cards; it is also common in bank cards, IC cards, and many high-end electronic components.

Not a get-rich-quick scheme
Despite the video’s appearance of easy profits, industry experts have issued strong warnings. According to specialists in precious metal recycling, the actual gold content in each SIM card is extremely small, ranging from just 0.006 to 0.01 milligrams. To recover nearly 200 grams of gold, the man would have had to collect tons of discarded SIM cards over a very long period—a scale that is unrealistic for most individuals.

Moreover, the extraction process shown in the video is far from simple. It can take weeks and involves dangerous steps such as dissolving metals with strong acids, electrochemical separation, filtration, and refining.

Experts also warn that SIM cards and electronic waste in general contain hazardous substances, including lead, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants. Handling them with corrosive chemicals in non-professional settings—without proper protective equipment or certified waste-treatment systems—can lead to severe consequences. Individuals face risks such as chemical poisoning, acid burns, and serious respiratory illnesses. In addition, improper disposal of acidic solutions and heavy metals can cause long-term contamination of soil and water sources.

For these reasons, authorities and environmental specialists strongly advise the public not to attempt such procedures at home. Electronic waste recycling should only be carried out by licensed, professional facilities to ensure safety for both people and the environment.