Monday, July 23, 2012

Copper

Copper in old computers and cables play a great role in running this industry too. Copper is sold for about 7 dollars per kg. It is one of those materials that can be more efficiently  extracted from old wires, cathode rays tube, capacitors and wire cables.

When ewaste started coming into Pakistan it was initially recycled for copper as one of the most important metals in these old computers. Back then people had no idea of the presence of precious metals in this equipment. Old computers are a good source of copper it can be extracted from CRT monitors, cables, printed wire board (Printed Wire Boards ) and capacitors.

The processes involved in extraction of copper are
Breaking of old CRT monitors .
Burning of cables
Burning and processing of PWB using toxic acids.
Manual dismantling of capacitors

No precautions are taken  during these processes and procedures are carried using no protective gears and with the help of basic tools.

Old cables being burnt these cables are then washed in the near by water body to get rid of the ash.


Dioxin and furans are added in to the air as the plastic is burnt.


Every one kg of cable gives about a half kg of copper. 







17 yr boy burning the wire has no gloves or mask.




Ash is collected  which will be washed later on.


Copper which will be washed and sold at 7 dollars per kg




Solders on  PWB are melted using blow torch  this helps to remove capacitors from this board. The board will be exported out of Pakistan or will be processed for extraction of copper using acids.






Manual Dismantling of capacitors using basic tools.

Copper extracted lying in the black tray.

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