Wow...some pretty intense reactions to the question!! There is a lot of truth in what the others here have posted. I just joined this forum yesterday so I am not sure I can associate this Scott with the word of God. I have however been "recovering" and "refining" gold from
eWaste for a couple of years now. I feel I am very comfortable with the processes that I use, and they are right that it does require a lot of studying. After all, you're not baking a cake or shining up some silver spoons here. The goldrefiningforum in my opinion is a top notch place to find info. The folks there tend to be a bit snobby for my taste especially if you are new and start asking questions before you start reading. In many cases understadably so. I also feel that you should read Hoke to get a better base knowledge on what this science is all about. It is also a great opportunity for you to try to amass a considerable quantity of gold bearing material. Bottom line is that there are no quick answers. There are no "get rich quick" solutions. There are loads of hazards associated with recovery and refining. If this has not already been stated, this is what i would suggest for you....
1: Read Hoke, its free online.
2: Think about your confidence level. What chemicals are you comfortable to work with at first after reading Hoke?
3: Read Hoke again.
4: Determine what kind of things you want to recover gold from. Not everything requires Nitric acid. You can do a lot with HCL and peroxide, an aerator, heat, bleach, etc.
5: Once you have chosen a familiarity test, in my opinion, removing gold flake from goldfingers with hcl and peroxide is a great one, study the notes from people on the goldrefiningforum. Lazersteve has some great videos, threads, and set ups though the initial glass jar is what i would reccommend.
6:Read the MSDS on the chemicals involved with the process you want to start out with.
7: Prepare everything in advance. Do NOT skip any safety steps, do NOT skimp on safety gear.
8-Make sure you go over the process SEVERAL times before you actually perform it.
9- Make SURE the area you are woking in is well ventilated, and that there is no danger of children or animals coming anywhere close to what you are doing.
10-Prepare prepare prepare prepare reread reread reread and then proceed with caution.
Remember, even the people who are most experienced had to have started with questions just like you. This is not childs play in the least bit, however after doing this for a while, I find it very fun! I always exercise caution, and even after at least a couple hundred batches of A/P I still have a printed out sheet above the bench with the step by step directions and safety precaustions so that I never fall into the trap of feeling too comfortable with what i am doing. Being the new guy here, I hope this response does not tick off some of the senior members. I am not trying to overstep others with more experience than I have.
So keep reading, keep studying, keep asking.
PEACE!
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