Revolutionizing Urban Mining: Solvent Extraction for Sustainable Metal Recovery from Electronic Waste

Authors

  • Anup Basnet Chetry Graduate School of Science and Technology, Midwest University, Birendranagar, Surkhet, Nepal Author
  • Sushma Thapa Department of English, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal Author
  • Khusal Bhudathoki Graduate School of Engineering, Mid-West University, Birendranagar, Surkhet, Nepal Author
  • Shukra Raj Regmi Graduate School of Science and Technology, Midwest University, Birendranagar, Surkhet, Nepal Author
  • Keisuke Ohto Department of Chemical Engineering, Saga University, Honjo-1, Saga, Japan Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/JMSMR/2025(6)204

Keywords:

Calix [4] Arene, Acidic Medium, Recycling, Rare Metal, Electronic Waste

Abstract

Urban mining offers a transformative solution to the growing challenge of electronic waste (e-waste) by recovering valuable metals sustainably. E-waste is a rich reservoir of critical metals, including lead, indium, gallium, gold, silver, copper, and platinum, which can be effectively extracted using solvent extraction techniques. This method leverages specific solvents to selectively isolate metals, enabling industrial-scale operations with high efficiency. Advanced extractants like calix [4] arene and pseudo calix [3] arene have demonstrated exceptional capability in recovering metals such as lead, indium, and gallium from acidic media (e.g., 0.1 N HCl). Key factors influencing extraction success include solvent selection, solution concentration, and metal composition. Integrating solvent extraction into e-waste recycling minimizes landfill accumulation, reduces environmental impacts, and promotes resource sustainability. By adopting this approach, urban mining not only addresses the environmental burden of e-waste but also advances the circular economy by reclaiming precious metals for future use.

Author Biographies

  • Anup Basnet Chetry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Midwest University, Birendranagar, Surkhet, Nepal

    Graduate School of Science and Technology, Midwest University, Birendranagar, Surkhet, Nepal

  • Sushma Thapa, Department of English, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

    Department of English, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

  • Khusal Bhudathoki, Graduate School of Engineering, Mid-West University, Birendranagar, Surkhet, Nepal

    Graduate School of Engineering, Mid-West University, Birendranagar, Surkhet, Nepal

  • Shukra Raj Regmi, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Midwest University, Birendranagar, Surkhet, Nepal

    Graduate School of Science and Technology, Midwest University, Birendranagar, Surkhet, Nepal

  • Keisuke Ohto, Department of Chemical Engineering, Saga University, Honjo-1, Saga, Japan

    Department of Chemical Engineering, Saga University, Honjo-1, Saga, Japan

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Published

2025-06-17

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 6 (2025): Volume 6 Issue 6

Section

Articles