Royal Canadian Mint explores making coins from e-waste
The Mint is in discussions about the feasibility of incorporating revalorized metals into future coin production
The Royal Canadian Mint is in discussions with enim about the feasibility of incorporating enim's revalorized metals — including gold, silver, and copper into the Mint's future coin production. enim specializes in the revalorization of precious metals from obsolete electronic devices, enabling the optimal revalorization of obsolete electronic boards by responsibly processing metallic, plastic, and ceramic fractions through an eco-friendly solution.
"This exploration of collaboration opportunities with the Mint marks a milestone in our mission to transform electronic waste into eco-responsible products," says Simon Racicot-Daignault, president and CEO of enim. "Engaging in discussions with such a respected institution as the Mint validates for enim that circular revalorization can provide some of the most sustainable and prized metals on the market."
Two Canadian organizations working toward a sustainable future
By extracting precious metals from obsolete printed circuit boards without using harmful substances such as cyanide, enim aims to provide a solution to the social and environmental challenge of e-waste management. This circular model not only meets the needs of modern supply chains but also addresses an emerging high-value market for investors seeking distinctive, traceable products with a low environmental impact. enim plans to launch its first commercial facility in 2027.
enim's circular model, which aims to be zero-waste, minimizes the environmental footprint and ensures full traceability of its ethically recycled co-products which could, in the future, allow the Mint to offer its clients innovative products crafted from revalorized metals.
"For more than a century, the Mint has operated one of the world's leading refineries, delivering innovative products of the highest quality and unparalleled purity," says Marie Lemay, president and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "As a high-volume gold refiner, the Mint is committed to operating sustainably, finding new and innovative ways to maximize environmental responsibility. Sourcing metals recovered through urban mining complements our ability to do that and presents an exciting opportunity for the Mint to participate in the circular economy."
Urban mining: A strategic resource
According to a report by a UN agency, 62 billion kilograms of electronic waste were generated worldwide in 2022, but only 22 percent was collected and revalorized in a documented manner. Each year, precious metals lost through incineration or landfilling represent an approximate value of $62 billion, causing significant environmental and social issues. Urban mining represents a major opportunity to revalorize these precious metals and other critical and strategic minerals contained in electronic waste—a sustainable activity with high growth potential that also contributes to reducing the environmental impact associated with primary mining.
