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Recovery of Gold & Silver from Used Plating Solution; Disposal of Cyanide Plating Solutions

Q. I have over the years accumulated several 1qt bottles of gold, silver, platinum, copper, and nickel plating solutions. I would like to rid myself of these and I have two questions.

First, with gold and platinum prices where they are, how do I remove the metal from the solutions for recovery.

Second, how do I safely dispose the remaining solutions.

Don R [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
Ex Jeweler, Hobbyist - Arroyo Grande, California, USA
2005

A. Stop! Don't remove the precious metal content! Find another local jeweller and sell these bottles to him/her cheap. If you sell them as usable plating solutions, they are not a waste product. Once they are a waste product you would need to review 40CFR (EPA) standards to see what hazardous waste regulations apply to your industry.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
2005

Q. The business is a startup (silver and gold electroplating services). Please I want to know the disadvantages of silver and gold solution and how to dispose it properly.

muhammad zayyad kabir
silver and gold plating services - kano, kano Nigeria
February 29, 2016

March 2, 2016

A. It is common practice for suppliers of gold and silver salts to take back old solutions for credit against your next purchase. Their recovery techniques are far more efficient than trying to do it yourself.
This is far simpler for you and the supplier retains your custom

Geoff Smith
Hampshire, England

A. I agree with Geoff, but rinses also contain valuable metal values. There are very efficient electrowinners that can recover gold or silver from both spent baths and from dragout rinses down to < 1 mg/L if your supplier cannot provide the services.

Lyle Kirman
Consultant - Cleveland, Ohio USA
March 9, 2016

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