Hidden Places

The Yomiuri Shimbun • Published March 06, 2010

TOKYO – A total of 22 kilograms of gold, worth about 70 million yen (about US$784,313), was recovered from discarded cell phones that had been collected in a campaign by the Japanese government, according to the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry.

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About 567,000 cell phones were collected during the campaign, which started in November in an effort to recycle precious and rare metals used in mobile phones.

In addition to gold, 79 kilograms of silver, 5,670 kilograms of copper and two kilograms of palladium were recovered, the ministry said.

Cell phones are often referred to as "urban mines" because such precious and rare metals are used in the devices.

The retrieved metals will be sold to refiners for recycling, the ministry added.

It is believed that about 200 million used cell phones are left uncollected at homes and elsewhere in the country. Many people are believed to keep their old cell phones to use as telephone directories and cameras.

About 1,800 electronics retail stores and supermarkets across Japan took part in the campaign, which ended at the end of February.

The campaign gave away gift vouchers worth a total of 230 million yen (US$2.577 million) to 158,800 people by lottery. When people turned in mobile phones they no longer use to participating stores, they were given application tickets for the lottery.

If the customers purchased new mobile phones priced at 2,500 yen or more at the same time, they were eligible to apply to one of three courses in which they had a chance to win 1,000 yen, 5,000 yen (US$56) or 50,000 yen worth of coupons. Even if they did not buy a new cell phone, they were still allowed to apply for the 1,000 yen coupon course.