Chemo-biohydrometallurgy—A hybrid technology to recover metals from obsolete mobile SIM cards

•SIM waste (SIMW) like Computer Printed Circuit Boards (CPCB) is a source of precious metals.•Chemo-biohydrometallurgy promotes recovery of Cu and other metals from SIMW.•Bioleaching coupled with acidic pretreatment yielded high recovery of Cu from SIMW.•SIMW have potential to be used in recycling industry and can lower burden on natural resources which needs serious consideration.•Higher Cu percentage of SIMW is a hindrance in recovery of other metals like Au.