Abstract: The path toward energy transition requires many metals, some of which are scarce in nature
or their supply is controlled by a few countries. The European and Spanish situations are particularly
vulnerable because of the scarcity of crucial geological mineral resources, especially those known as
critical.
In this context, the recovery of metals from waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE)
presents an important opportunity to partly alleviate this situation because this region produces
most of the WEEE per capita.
In this study, 43 different categories of EEE placed in the Spanish
market between 2016 and 2021 were assessed, considering the composition of up to 57 elements,
with 34 being critical.
The results show the great opportunities for urban mining: 1.4 million tons of
metals valued at USD 2.43 billion, representing 80% of the mass and 25% of the price of the primary
extraction in Spain during that period. In addition, 20,000 tons corresponded to critical metals.
However, the short life of EEE and the low traceability and low recovery of metals, especially critical
and precious (94% and 87% of their values are lost, respectively), make it necessary to overcome
major challenges to develop a new industry capable of moving toward a deeper circular economy.
Access online: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/2/1393
Download document: Challenges and Opportunities for the Recovery of Critical Raw Materials from ElectronicWaste: The Spanish Perspective
