Process for Copper Recovery from E-waste: Printed Wiring Boards in Obsolete Computers

The printed wiring boards (PWBs) in obsolete computers as a type of e-waste are also a resourceful metal mine hidden in cities. Along with the intensified shrinkage of mineral resources, recovery of metals from ewaste such as obsolete PWBs becomes an inevitable trend and also a requirement for adaptation to circular economy. In this study, copper was recovered from PWBs in obsolete computers via the process of "crushscreen-shake". Copper was fully separated from other components at the crushing and grinding speeds of 3100 r/m. Then after screening, the materials with a grain-size level of 0.12-0.3 mm contained the highest copper content and were also separated well. After shaking-table separation, the copper grade was up to 78.64%.