Processing of platinum group metal ores in Russia and South Africa: current state and prospects

Abstract

The presented study is devoted to a comparative review of the mineral raw material base of platinum group metals (PGMs) and technologies of their processing in South Africa and Russia, the largest PGM producers. Mineralogical and geochemical classification and industrial value of iron-platinum and platinum-bearing deposits are presented in this work. The paper also reviews types of PGM ore body occurrences, ore processing methods (with a special focus on flotation processes), as well as difficulties encountered by enterprises at the processing stage, as they increase recovery of the valuable components. Data on mineralogical features of PGM deposits, including the distribution of elements in the ores, are provided. The main lines of research on mineralogical features and processing of raw materials of various genesis are identified and validated. 
 Sulfide deposits are found to be of the highest industrial value in both countries. Such unconventional PGM sources, as black shale, dunites, chromite, low-sulfide, chromium and titanomagnetite ores, anthropogenic raw materials, etc. are considered. The main lines of research that would bring into processing non-conventional metal sources are substantiated.
 Analysis of new processing and metallurgical methods of PGM recovery from non-conventional and industrial raw materials is conducted; the review of existing processing technologies for platinum-bearing raw materials is carried out. Technologies that utilize modern equipment for ultrafine grinding are considered, as well as existing reagents for flotation recovery; evaluation of their selectivity in relation to platinum minerals is presented.
 Basing on the analysis of main technological processes of PGM ore treatment, the most efficient schemes are identified, i.e.,gravity and flotation treatment with subsequent metallurgical processing.

Selective Disintegration Justification Based on the Mineralogical and Technological Features of the Polymetallic Ores

“…However, the exploitation of such deposits entails an increase in costs of extraction and mineral processing. Process engineers are constantly trying to find options for the rational organization of ore dressing processes within the framework of existing and emerging ore dressing technologies, which allow for a reduction in losses in the dressing processes due to a more complete disclosure of grain aggregates [6][7][8].…”

Rare minerals of noble metals in the collection of the Mining Museum: new data

“…This will make it possible to use these polished sections with rare minerals and other items from the collections of the Mining Museum as educational and practical material to improve the quality of education for university students. The results of the study can be used to improve methods for extracting precious metals from copper-nickel ores [47,48], including using the latest beneficiation technologies [49,50].…”

Investigating The Mineralogy Of An Oxidised South African PGM Ore From The Western Limb

“…The interest in exploring the recovery of PGMs from oxidized PGM ores has been influenced by the fast depletion of sulphide PGM-bearing minerals and over 500 million tonnes resource estimates of oxidized PGM ores which are either unmined, mined, stockpiled or discarded as overburden waste in South Africa and Zimbabwe [4]. The beneficiation of oxidized PGM ores by conventional methods (mainly flotation) achieves less than 50% recoveries [5]. Alternative processing routes which are effective need to be developed for higher recoveries to be achieved and for economic benefits.…”