According to reports, Qiao, from Guangdong province, shared on social media that he has recovered 191 grams of gold from old SIM cards and other electronic scraps. That amount is valued at around 200,000 yuan over 8 million Pakistani rupees.
A man in China went viral after posting a video showing how he extracts gold from old SIM cards. He claimed to have recovered 191 grams of gold so far. His videos led many people to buy scrap SIM cards, though he warned about safety risks.#Techinformer pic.twitter.com/3WZ6p8eegz
— Tech Informer (@Tech_Informer_) February 2, 2026
Qiao explained that he has processed nearly 2 tons of electronic waste, including SIM cards, microchips, and other components, to extract the precious metal. ‘The key parts of SIM cards are gold-plated,’ he said, ‘but a typical SIM card contains less than 0.01 grams of gold.’
His process involves soaking the cards in chemicals and then heating them to separate the gold. While the results are impressive, Qiao warned that this is not a simple task for ordinary people. Handling chemicals and high heat makes the process risky, and he shared his story more as a curiosity than an instruction manual.
Qiao’s unusual venture shines a light on the hidden treasures in our everyday waste, turning what most consider useless into something valuable. It’s a vivid reminder that innovation can sometimes be found in the most unexpected corners.
