A Review on Shape Characterization of the Gold and Copper Metallic Particles Recovered from the Flotation of Various E-wastes

The recovery of copper and gold metals from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) materials, which accumulate rapidly as a result of the renewal of technology in the world day by day, is not only necessary but also mandatory due to the principle of circular economy and ecological concerns. Although it is known that particle shape plays an active role in ore flotation, the effect of particle shape in the flotation process used in the recycling process of e-waste materials has not yet been fully examined. Moreover, the inherent difficulties encountered in floating coarse grains in conventional flotation of these metallic ores are well known. Thus, in this work, a novel flotation approach was used to recycle various e-wastes, including waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs), waste electrical wires (WEWs), and waste RAM boards (WRAMs), in an easier, and environmentally friendly manner. It aims to pre-concentrate valuable (Cu, Au) metallic particles by selective and coarse-grained flotation after removing the plastic.