Hi everyone,

I'm a final-year physics grad student and have been quietly following this forum for a while. Scrapping has become a real passion of mine, and I've recently decided to focus my thesis on a topic related to determining the precious metal content in electronics.

As part of this, I've spent a lot of time learning about fire assay techniques specifically for e-waste (especially PCB). I was shocked to see that most commercial labs charge extremely high prices for this kind of analysis — often over $800 per sample. Since I'm genuinely interested in fire assaying and find these prices quite excessive, I've been considering setting up a small lab to offer this service at a much more affordable rate.

After running the numbers, I believe I could offer precise gold and silver content analysis for e-waste samples up to 1 kg (larger samples possible) for around $250. The process involves transforming the entire sample to a fine, homogeneous powder and then analyzing it via fire assay — the exact same method used by major refineries and commercial labs. I could accept samples from anywhere in the world and would also take care of all customs-related matters.

I'm curious to know if there's any interest in the community for such a service. Do you think $250 per sample is a fair price? And how often would you consider using a service like this?

Thanks for your feedback and all the best!

there are always outliers and exceptions, but generally speaking the vast majority of what is sorted out by services such as this tend to be well-known consistencies. You’re probably in the wrong area to outreach with a service like this.
You would more be targeting start ups in small shops we don’t have extensive experience.

The scrap price is offered here as close as you can get without being beyond the trailer load on your own. and generally speaking those with experience probably could tell you the total melt value/scrap value of most items if not individually; by the pound per kilogram a ton.

_________________
42 6F 61 72 64 73 6F 72 74 2E 63 6F 6D

I'll pay you to assay 1 kg of my boards... I have 10,000 lbs of identical boards and im curious... post a way to contact you

What does your thesis advisor think? He wants a decent paper. Not a business plan. I personally like your idea. But your already into a business plan. But you got to present an academic paper. Don't lose the forest for the trees. Get your Diploma. Then access the escrap business for yourself for what it is as it really is to enter such a business. I only say this. You already got a caution post on your idea. Just a few thoughts. I had a good friend who was a physics associate professor. He also delved into various possible business ideas. He did settle on one. It is tedious to mesh the academic world to the business world. Just a few thoughts.
Here to learn like everybody else.

There are plenty of refineries willing to do an assay. You won’t find any willing to such a small weight though. The cost of materials to result is too far off. You’re underestimating the costs considerably. In materials and effort. As well as dealing with regulated waste.

A kilo would cost more than you get out of it.

_________________
42 6F 61 72 64 73 6F 72 74 2E 63 6F 6D