Technology Advancement in the Refining of Platinum Group Metals

摘要

Early Refining methods for Platinum Group Metals typically involved translation of laboratory techniques for assaying of concentrates. This led to highly inefficient processes which required multiple re-working to obtain the required degree of impurity rejection and to separate the Platinum metals from each other. This paper gives a high level review of comparison of "classical refining" flowsheets, largely based on selective dissolution techniques and precipitation against modern refining approaches. In the case of the latter, the approach taken was to apply a series of sequential hydrometallurgical extraction steps for removal of each metal, which formed a core separation. Secondary refining of the extracted metals was aimed at further impurity rejection and then final production of metal. The advantages of this approach are discussed.