Industrial Requirements of Platinum Group Metal (PGM) Ores
In the modern industrial development, the application of rare metals such as platinum group metals (PGMs) has become increasingly important. The global economic value of PGMs has long been recognized, and their usage in various industries is growing rapidly.
PGMs are mainly used in the automotive and electrical and electronic industries, such as catalytic converters, computer memory technology, conductive wires, auto sensors, contact materials, and cancer drugs. The PGM content in their products is usually very small (1-2%) and the cost is usually very high (1-2%), but its value is very high. In addition, PGM potential is also widely used in metallurgical and chemical industries as catalysts and electroplating processes.
PGMs exist mainly in the form of oxides and sulfides minerals, mainly in layered mafic and ultramafic intrusive rocks, and are more widely distributed in ultramafic belts. Various types of PGM ores include platinum, palladium, copper-nickel-platinum- pyrite and copper-nickel- palladium- chlorite. The development of PGMs requires an understanding of the occurrence of different ore types and their mineral properties. The industrial requirements for processing and extraction of PGMs are as follows:
First, the ore should have a certain level of purity, preferably more than 95%. In order to get high grade PGM, the ore should be able to be well separated from other materials. It is also important to know the mineral composition of the ore, in order to properly determine the most suitable processing method.
Second, the ore should have good physical condition. This is important as good physical condition allows the ore to be broken into smaller particles, which facilitates further processing.
Third, the ore should have sufficient PGM content and should contain at least 0.2-0.5% of the PGM.
Fourth, the ore should have the right particle size and flow properties. A good particle size allows for easy transportation and processing of the ore, while good flow properties enable even distribution of the ore during processing.
Fifth, the ore should have sufficient sulfur content as sulfur is an essential component in the chemical extraction of PGMs.
Finally, the ore also should have appropriate chemical composition and mineralogy. This is essential for the successful extraction of PGMs from the ore. It is also important for controlling the chemical composition of the PGM concentrate to ensure that it meets industrial standards.
By following these industrial requirements, the PGM content in the ore can be successfully extracted and refined into the high-grade concentrate. The success of the industrial production of PGMs relies on efficient and safe processing and extraction of these valuable metals from the ore.
