Why a Broom Could Be Your Best Tool for Finding Precious Metals

What is the most powerful tool for finding gold, platinum, silver and other precious metals?

When you think about that question, chances are you think about using a metal detector. And yes, a metal detector can be a great device to use when you are looking for precious metals in outdoor areas like the beach or open fields. There are other good tools too, like camera-equipped drones.

But a broom could be an even more effective tool – a simple broom, like the one you can buy at your local hardware store. Why a broom? Here are some of the reasons why.

A $15 Broom Can Help You Collect Thousands of Dollars’ Worth of Precious Metals in Old Factories

“Sweepable” powders and sediments can contain precious metals, if you know where to look!

Dust, Chips and Powders that Accumulate in Factories

It might surprise you to learn that over the years, Specialty Metals Smelters and Refiners has been able to detect and recycle thousands of dollars’ worth of gold, platinum and silver from sweepings collected in jewelry factories, dental laboratories, welding companies, and other facilities.

People have sent us garbage bags full of powders that look worthless. But when we have tested  what looks like junk, we have made some amazing discoveries. We have sometimes found hundreds of dollars’ worth of gold, silver and even platinum – a discovery that has profited our customers and made them very happy.

So our advice to you is to get sweeping, then send us what you collect so we can test it for you. Call 800-426-2344 to learn more.

Welding Scrap and Fluxes

Welding and brazing rods, along with fluxes that are used in welding and brazing, contain silver. And although silver is trading at lower prices than gold and platinum, make no mistake about the fact that if you can collect a few hundred pounds of this kind of scrap, you stand to make a nice profit. Simply sweep it up and send it to us for testing. Call us and we can tell you how.

Bench Sweepings

When metals are ground or polished in factories, small quantities of dust are released, and often fall onto the floor in and around machinery. These small quantities of flakes, powders and dust can contain precious metals that you can sweep up and send to us for testing and processing. They are another example of something that doesn’t look valuable, but is.

Stuff That’s Lying on and under Floors!

A floor is just a floor you say? Well you are right. But be sure to recover quantities of dust and powder that have accumulated on – and even under – factory floors. Remember, dust and powder tend to accumulate in the cracks between floorboards. And here’s another tip. If you find padded floor mats near the workstations that were used in factories, pick them up, shake them out, and collect the dust and powder. Those mats were probably used where workers stood working for long hours, performing one job at one machine. They were used to reduce the strain of standing for long periods on concrete factory floors. They can be made of soft rubber, are often porous and the “crud” they have collected can be worth money.

Plating Residue on the Bottom of Tanks

If you are cleaning out a facility where gold or other metals were used in plating operations, be sure to collect residues that have accumulated on the bottom of tanks or in drains. Remember that in facilities where many items were plated, the plating tanks can be quite large, so be sure to check them out carefully. You will often find dull-looking residues in these areas. But don’t let your eyes deceive you. The powder and “dirt” you are looking at could be well worth recycling. It could also contain old platinum sponge and filters that have been allowed to corrode and turn to powder.

Stuff that’s Lying Around in Storage Areas

Pay special attention to rooms, loading docks, or other locations where chemicals, industrial catalysts, welding supplies and other materials were stored. If material was stored in bins or containers, collect any powder or dirt they contain. Them move those containers out of the area and sweep up what is on the floor. Depending on the processes that were taking place in the factory – plating, welding, photo processing – what looks like muck could be something far more valuable.

Dental Scrap

Old dental laboratories are a great source of small quantities of gold and silver that you can collect with a broom and a dustpan. In the past, when dental appliances like bars and bridges were made in these facilities, powders and dust were produced that are worth much more valuable than they appear. That’s another example of a way your broom could be your best friend when you are hunting for precious metals.

Used Industrial Catalysts

We recently wrote a post on this blog about industrial catalysts. You are most likely to find unused quantities of them in chemical factories, but they can sometimes be recovered from water purification facilities and even companies that distribute natural gas. Sometimes valuable quantities of industrial catalysts are literally lying around, waiting to be collected.

Goo and Gunk that Accumulates Outdoors

Old silver and gold mines are especially good places to look for piles of goo and sand that have been allowed to accumulate and dry outdoors. The runoff from silver mines, for example, can contain quantities of both silver and other metals that are found in nature alongside silver – including and especially copper. Copper is not a precious metal, you say? Of course, you are right. But that doesn’t mean it is worthless or not worth reclaiming. A pound of copper is worth about $3.50. How much of it can you find?

Grab a Broom, Start Sweeping . . . and Call Us

Our expert precious metal consultants are here to answer your questions about turning scrap into cash! We can also offer discounted shipping on the samples you send to us. Call us at 800-426-2344 to learn more.

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The Art and Science of Valuing Your Platinum Thermocouple Scrap

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What Is Industrial Catalyst? And How Much Can You Profit from Recycling It?