Treasure in trash: Afghans hunt for gold in discarded electronics

• Soaring prices, acid access spark small revival in the industry
• Traders say Japanese, not Chinese, electronics contain gold

SPIN BOLDAK: Sitting on the floor of a dilapidated workshop in the Afghan border town of Spin Boldak, a group of men break apart discarded electronics to search for the smattering of gold inside.

It’s a profitable, but ultimately doomed trade as modern electronics are increasingly built with cheaper metals. It’s also a trade that comes with significant health risks.