Canadians Explore Technology to Turn E-Waste into Coins

The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) has announced a new partnership with enim Technologies, which extracts precious metals from e-waste, to explore the possibility of incorporating these metals into the Mint’s future coin production.

Enim, based in Montreal, specialises in the ‘revalorization’ of precious metals and critical strategic minerals from obsolete electronic devices, whilst the RCM – as well as producing circulating and commemorative coins – is one of the world’s leading precious metals refiners. Areas being explored to begin with include the feasibility of incorporating enim’s revalorized metals – including gold, silver, and copper – into the RCM’s future coin production, alongside the exchange of expertise in related strategic fields.

Enim plans to launch its first commercial facility in 2027, utlising its patented hydrometallurgical technology. This approach enables the optimal revalorization of obsolete circuit boards by processing metallic, plastic, and ceramic fractions through an eco-friendly solution which does not involve harmful materials such as cyanide, and which aims to be zero waste whilst ensuring full traceability of ethically recycled products.