A method for recovering platinum group metals, includes melting a material to be treated containing platinum group metals, under heating in a furnace, along with a copper source material containing at least one kind of metallic copper and copper oxide, a flux component, and a reducing agent. The molten metal absorbing the platinum group metals is separated from a slag oxide through difference in specific gravity. The molten metal absorbing the platinum group metals is subjected to an oxidation treatment. An oxide layer containing as a major component copper oxide and a molten metal containing as a major component metallic copper containing the platinum group metals concentrated therein are separated through difference in specific gravity. A silver content in the molten metal separated in melting under heating is controlled to 2,000 ppm or more and 8,000 ppm or less, thereby recovering platinum group metals with high efficiency.

A method for recovering platinum group metals, includes melting a material to be treated containing platinum group metals, under heating in a furnace, along with a copper source material containing at least one kind of metallic copper and copper oxide, a flux component, and a reducing agent. The molten metal absorbing the platinum group metals is separated from a slag oxide through difference in specific gravity. The molten metal absorbing the platinum group metals is subjected to an oxidation treatment. An oxide layer containing as a major component copper oxide and a molten metal containing as a major component metallic copper containing the platinum group metals concentrated therein are separated through difference in specific gravity. A silver content in the molten metal separated in melting under heating is controlled to 2,000 ppm or more and 8,000 ppm or less, thereby recovering platinum group metals with high efficiency.

The invention concerns a process suitable for the recovery of platinum group metals (PGM) present in PGM-bearing catalysts comprising silicon carbide (SiC). More particularly, the process for the recovery of PGM present in PGM-bearing catalysts comprising SiC, comprises the steps of preparing a metallurgical charge by mixing the PGM-bearing catalysts with an Fe-oxide compound in an amount sufficient to oxidize at least 65% of the SiC, and feeding the metallurgical charge and slag formers to a smelting furnace operating in conditions susceptible to form a liquid Fe-based bullion, which contains PGM, and a liquid slag. Good to excellent PGM yields are obtained.

A method of processing a gold-containing ore that contains reactive sulphide minerals that includes selecting processing conditions to optimize liberating gold in reactive sulphide minerals and processing the ore in accordance with the selected processing conditions and liberating gold in the reactive sulphide minerals. In other words, when there are reactive sulphide minerals and “barren” minerals in an ore, the invention focuses on liberating gold in the reactive sulphide minerals only.

A method of processing a gold-containing ore that contains reactive sulphide minerals that includes selecting processing conditions to optimize liberating gold in reactive sulphide minerals and processing the ore in accordance with the selected processing conditions and liberating gold in the reactive sulphide minerals. In other words, when there are reactive sulphide minerals and “barren” minerals in an ore, the invention focuses on liberating gold in the reactive sulphide minerals only.

A process for separating a fusion mix sample comprising a slag material and a collector material using a separator. The separator comprising a plurality of impact members configured to rotate. The process comprising the steps of providing a solid fusion mix sample and loading the solid sample into the separator. Dislodging the slag material from the solid fusion mix sample by rotating the impact members and contacting the rotating impact members and the solid fusion mix sample. Separating into a first fraction substantially comprising the collector material and a second fraction substantially comprising slag material.

Provided is a platinum-group metal recovery method for efficiently recovering a platinum-group metal. The method for recovering a platinum-group metal includes an immobilization step of causing a molten product of a raw material containing a platinum-group metal, a molten product of a carbonate or hydroxide of an alkali metal, a molten product of an oxide, and a ceramic material to make contact with each other so as to immobilize the platinum-group metal on the ceramic material.

A method for recovery of platinum group metals from a spent catalyst is described. The method includes crushing the spent catalyst to obtain a catalyst particulate material including particles having a predetermined grain size. The method includes subjecting the catalyst particulate material in the reaction zone at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time period in contact with solid chlorine-containing material and solid silicon-containing material to obtain volatile platinum group metal-containing chloride product, and cooling to convert the product into solid phase platinum group metal-containing materials.

A process for roasting of metal concentrate wherein concentrate particles are fed into a roaster where they are thermally treated at a temperature in the range of 500 and 1200° C. in a fluidized bed to form a calcine. At least parts of the calcine are withdrawn from the roaster together with a gas stream as a solid fraction. Concentrate particles with a diameter at least 50% smaller than the average diameter of the concentrate particles are separated as small particles and/or particles from the gas-solid-fraction are separated in at least one step as small calcine particles and/or particles are gained in another hydrometallurgical step as other particles. Defined particles are pelletized, whereby at least 80% of the pellets feature a diameter of at least 80% of the concentrate particles average diameter. The pellets are fed into the roaster.

A process for roasting of metal concentrate wherein concentrate particles are fed into a roaster where they are thermally treated at a temperature in the range of 500 and 1200° C. in a fluidized bed to form a calcine. At least parts of the calcine are withdrawn from the roaster together with a gas stream as a solid fraction. Concentrate particles with a diameter at least 50% smaller than the average diameter of the concentrate particles are separated as small particles and/or particles from the gas-solid-fraction are separated in at least one step as small calcine particles and/or particles are gained in another hydrometallurgical step as other particles. Defined particles are pelletized, whereby at least 80% of the pellets feature a diameter of at least 80% of the concentrate particles average diameter. The pellets are fed into the roaster.