Gold Recycling in the United States in 1998

摘要

In 1998, 175 metric tons (t) of refined gold was recovered by U.S. refiners from211u001eold and new scrap. The overall recycling rate was 29 percent when scrap 211u001econsumption was compared with apparent domestic supply. Sources of old scrap 211u001eincluded discarded jewelry, dental materials, plating solutions, and electronic 211u001eequipment. A very high old scrap recycling efficiency of 96 percent was reached 211u001ein 1998, the supply of old scrap peaked, gold prices were at an 18-year low, and 211u001esubstantial amounts of old scrap were exported. U.S. net exports of old scrap had 211u001ea gold content of 28 t.