From what I've been reading on a gold refining forum, they break everything down to it's simplest form then reclaim tiny grams of gold, platinum, palladium, copper, aluminum out of the boards and ic chips. It's one of those deals where it takes a lot(of computers etc.) to make a little(gold etc.) Only worth it to them because of the price of gold and the other precious metals. You didn't hear all this commotion when the price of gold was below $800. an ounce. Hope that helps clear up a little,,, Mike :confused: