• Generally, the extraction of noble metals from minerals and their subsequent processing requires highly reactive conditions and toxic chemicals.
• There were few methods discussed related to recovery of gold and other precious metals including iron in the prior art of literatures, which were more cost effective and caused to water and soil pollution.
• The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned deficiencies by providing environment-friendly solution.

The present invention describes a process for extraction of noble metal ions comprising hereinbelow:

1. Reaction of styrene monomer with niacin at 90 degrees Celsius   with the presence of potassium persulfate and surfactant sodium deodecyl sulphate (SDS) in the in situ polymerization process produces niacin-incorporated polystyrene.
2. Exposing the noble metal containing ionic mixture to the niacin-incorporated polystyrene to form a complex and separating the noble metal adsorbed polystyrene-niacin complex.
3. A polystyrene-niacin composite selectively adsorbs noble metal ions from a solution from harsh industrial conditions with pH 1 to 3. Niacin is a biomolecule.

The noble metal includes Au, Pd, Rh, Pt, Ru, Ag, Ir and etc.

The aqueous medium contains various metals in ionic form with concentrations 10, 100 and 1000 times than the noble metal ions present in the mixture.

The polymeric adsorbent can be used with other technologies.