Viral video of Chinese man extracting gold from SIM cards triggers sales boom

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Zoey ZhangFebruary 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

A man in Huizhou, Guangdong province, China, known online as "Qiao," triggered a surge in sales related to gold extraction after posting a viral video on January 20 showcasing his process of refining gold from scrap materials. The video, viewed over five million times, depicts Qiao using chemicals and heating to extract gold mud from discarded SIM cards and other electronic waste. He refined nearly two tonnes of scrap, yielding 191 grams of gold worth approximately $29,000. While the video has garnered significant attention, Qiao cautioned viewers about the serious safety risks involved in the refining process, which includes handling corrosive chemicals and extreme heat.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Weibo ×240% Xiaoxiang Morning Post 50% Huizhou 60% Guangdong province 70% China 80% Qiao ×390%

Keywords

gold extraction 100% sim cards 90% scrap metal 70% precious metal refining 60% viral video 50% safety risks 50% telecommunications electronics 40% chemical process 40%