CHAPTER 654: CHAPTER 647: GOLD WASHING AND BURNING BOARD

The steps of gold washing and burning boards, which cause fatal damage to the environment, are also the two steps through which Guiyu people earn substantial profits.

Gold washing refers to using concentrated acids to extract gold from circuit boards, while burning boards involves throwing plastic boards into a charcoal furnace for burning to obtain the copper inside.

Both operations produce a large amount of thick smoke, containing dioxin, lead, and other highly toxic carcinogens.

The workshops for gold washing are almost impenetrable, filled with rolling smoke. Sisi felt suffocated and uncomfortable after just a minute inside, experiencing headaches and nausea.

Sisi and her two companions disguised themselves as tourists. Perhaps because they were fashionably dressed and young, the locals did not show much hostility towards them and were willing to answer some questions.

A male gold washing worker explained to Sisi, "This is hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, that is sulfuric acid... You use a basin, put the chips in, add sulfuric acid, put it on the fire to burn, melt the plastic away, and then wash with acid step by step. The metals inside can be extracted, some are copper, some are iron... Finally, you dissolve them with nitric acid, and after two more steps, gold powder can be precipitated."

"Is it really gold?" Sisi asked, feigning surprise.

The worker grinned, showing blackened teeth, a hallmark of Guiyu people, whether they were bosses or migrant workers, their teeth were black.

"It’s really gold, and it’s quite profitable."

The man revealed an envious look, glancing around to ensure no one was listening before saying mysteriously, "Let me tell you, our boss is really lucky. Recently, he got a shipment of old appliances in a container, and all of it contained precious metals. Just from that load, he could earn over a million in profit, amazing, a fortune made."

"Is there more to it?" Sisi queried.

It helps to be attractive; the man was very enthusiastic towards Sisi, nearly answering every question.

"There’s a lot more to it. I heard when the boss buys foreign trash (imported electronic waste), he’s only allowed to peek inside the container. If he’s lucky, it’s all electronics, and he’ll make a fortune; if not, it’s all plastic, and he’ll lose money. Like my boss, he struck gold this time, all electronics and quite a few old computers."

The man, who worked in Guiyu for years, was familiar with the place and chatted freely with Sisi.

"There’s a lot of copper and iron in televisions, but computers are the most valuable. We Chinese don’t have many of those, but Westerners do, and those gadgets have a lot of gold in them; extracting them is very profitable."

Sisi wanted to take the opportunity to ask more, when a man in his forties approached with a suspicious look.

"Old Chen, what are you doing? Don’t you want to make money!"

"What are you doing here? Hey, hey, hey, what are you taking pictures for? Hurry and leave!"

The middle-aged man sternly drove Sisi and her companions away, as the boss had instructed no strangers were allowed in the workshop.

The gold washing man made a funny face at Sisi and her group, his sallow face wrinkled like a dried tangerine, causing a pang of sadness.

"Leizi, did you get all the photos?" Sisi asked Shi Lei.

"I did. We could have taken a few more, it’s a pity," Shi Lei said regretfully.

Zhang Jie kept fanning herself and complained uncomfortably, "I’m suffocating, I couldn’t stand the smoke for even a minute. How can they work in that for years? Unbelievable!"

Zhang Jie referred to the earlier gold washing man who said he had been working in gold washing for three years.

"Ignorance and foolishness, they don’t even realize their jobs are toxic. Plus, the wages here are higher than in other factories, so they endure it for more money," Sisi lamented.

Like that gold washing man, it wasn’t just him working here; his whole family, including his wife and children, were involved. His young son was still in swaddling clothes, yet his wife carried him on her back daily, dismantling plastic boards, doing the primary work.

"That’s considered the lightest and cleanest work; the pay is less, but there’s no choice!" The gold washing man expressed some regret.

No one realizes how much harm this electronic waste could do to the human body, especially to children. Even the parents of the children are unaware.

Most of these workers already exhibit symptoms of poisoning, with blackened teeth being the most obvious, along with emaciation and sallow complexion.

Especially the gold washing and board burning workers, their bodies suffer the most damage. The previous gold washing man lamented that his strength is waning, and once he saves enough money in a few years, he plans to return home to retire.

Despite being only in his thirties, when a man should be at his peak energy, he is already considering retirement.

This situation is widespread in Guiyu Town. Over the recent days, Sisi and her companions utilized every opportunity to snap a large number of photos.

But as time went on, their work became increasingly challenging, as various workshop bosses and managers began to suspect Sisi and her group. What tourists would stay in their trash-filled town for so many days?

Moreover, these people were constantly questioning and taking photos everywhere, definitely suspicious!

Thus, five days later, the trio was expelled, and on the sixth day, locals blocked them at the town’s entrance, refusing to let them back in no matter the promises made.

Fortunately, they had taken most of the necessary photos, and samples of the town’s soil and water had been collected, so the mission was considered relatively complete.

"Sisi, what are you doing here?" a surprised male voice called out.

A turning Sisi saw Tang Qiubai, smartly dressed, rolling down his car window to greet her.

Not much had changed about Tang Qiubai, aside from looking a bit bulkier, his demeanor had gained more presence and confidence, suggesting he had done quite well over the years.

But why was he here in Guiyu Town?

Sisi quelled her suspicion, forcing a smile, "I came for a visit. Are you here on holiday too?"

Tang Qiubai clearly didn’t believe Sisi’s excuse; one would have to be crazy to come here for a holiday. His gaze lifted, landing on the camera in Shi Lei’s hand, his eyes narrowing as he recalled Sisi’s Green Home initiative.

"Sisi, you’re not planning something for Guiyu Town, are you?" Tang Qiubai asked nonchalantly.

"Of course not! Just visiting. I’m leaving now. Goodbye." Sisi laughed off and said goodbye to Tang Qiubai.

Watching Sisi’s car disappear into the distance, Tang Qiubai slightly curled his lips. He thought, Sisi, even if you don’t like me, I understand you well; whenever you lie, your gaze always wanders.

Tang Qiubai’s smile faded as his expression grew serious. It seemed Green Home was already aware of this place, suggesting some trouble ahead.