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Where Is Platinum Found
Where Is Platinum Found
Although, considered to be one of rarest and most costly metals,
the use of platinum is wide spread. Platinum is part of PGMs (Platinum
Group Metals) which also includes Palladium, Rhodium, Ruthenium,
Iridium, Osmium.
In the ground it is usually located within ore mixed with other
metals such as Gold, Nickel, or Copper. Its special characteristics
include; resistance to oxidation and corrosion, high melting temperature
and is good conductor of electricity and acts as catalyzing agent.
Platinum can also be found in what are call Alluvial deposits which
are sands and gravels, transported by a river and deposited at points
on the river’s flood plains.
Early Discoveries Of Where Platinum Is Found
Where is platinum found ? Though it is new in the present form,
Platinum discovery dates back to prior to 700 B.C. in early history.
In modern history in 1492, the first Columbian landing in America.
In Europe, it was discovered by Julius Caesar Scaliger in 1557.
Extraction of first sample of pure platinum was successful in the
early 1800, by British Chemist W.H.Wollaston. In fact, his technique
forms the basis for the modern platinum metallurgy. The processing
techniques of Platinum were highly complex because of its high melting
point. However, the use of platinum in jewelry increased in a short
span of time because of the beauty and durability of the metal.
Countries Where Platinum Is Found
South Africa:
Where is platinum found ? South Africa is the largest producer
of platinum supplying approximately 3/4 of the platinum in the world
today. . The Merensky Reef is the rock in Transvaal in South Africa
which contains the most of Platinum Group Metals. The rock is situated
in Bushveld Igneous Complex. .
It was discovered by Mr. Hans Merensky in the year 1924 and hence
named after him. Witwatersrand is a hill in Gauteng in South Africa,
which has deposits of Platinum along with other Platinum family
metals.
Russia
Russia is the world's second largest producer of Platinum. In 1935
the 'Noril'sk' (located in Siberia) mine began production. Both
Platinum and Palladium were actually by products of the sites main
product which was copper.
The Ural Mountains were one of Russia's main producing regions
dating back to 1823. They have since been stripped of the majority
of their highest quality ore and account for only 1 per cent of
Russia's platinum production today.
Canada:
Where is platinum found ? In Canada there are 2 regions in the
province of Ontario that produce Platinum and PGM's. The first is
Sudbury, located in northern Ontario. The Sudbury Basin is situated
in an area of 62 km long, 32 km wide and 15 Km deep. Originally
a copper mine in the later 1800's, commercial production of PGM's
began around 1908.
The second region is the Lac Des Iles mine, currently owned by
North American Palladium Ltd. The Lac De Illes mine is located close
to Thunder Bay in North Western Ontario. The first production of
Platinum Group Metals began in 1993 in an open pit mine referred
to as the 'Roby Zone'. A more valuable grade deposit was later discovered
deeper in the ground so in 2005 an underground section was undertaken.
Ore concentrations with highly laden amounts of Palladium and Platinum
are the main product of this site.
USA
Where is Platinum Found : Nye, Montana is the primary source of
PGM's in the USA. Platinum and other pgm's are found in the 'J-M
reef' located in the Boulder mines. Latest reports state that 3/4
of the pgm's extracted from this site are in fact Palladium with
the remainder being mainly Platinum. The Stillwater Mining Company
(SMC) started mining there in 1987.
Zimbabwe
Where is platinum found ? Considered to be one of the up and coming
areas for Platinum production, Zimbabwe’s Great Dyke is considered
to be a potentially large source for PGM's.
It is an area that runs through central Zimbabwe approximately
550 kilometers in length and is approximately 5 meters thick. The
actual width of the platinum containing ore is about 1 meter. It
is said that the PGM content is around the 4 gram per tonne range
with 55% being Platinum. In the future the hope of improved political
climates, mining technologies and economic necessity will make Zimbabwe
an important player in Platinum production.
Production Of Platinum Worldwide
| Country |
2005 |
2006 |
| South Africa |
169,000 |
172,000 |
| Russia |
30,000 |
32,000 |
| Canada |
6,400 |
6,700 |
| United States |
3,900 |
4,000 |
| Colombia |
1,080 |
1,000 |
| Other Countries |
7,000 |
7,600 |
Where Else Is Platinum Found?
The rarity of occurrence and its shining qualities have made Platinum
one of the most sought after in the world. The ever increasing cost
of mining and refining platinum has lead to an increase in the recycling
of platinum. The following is a brief list of items where platinum
is found currently sought after for platinum recycling:
- catalytic converters
- jewelry
- coins
- computer hard drives / electronic components
- dental alloys
- medical and scientific equipment
- oxygen sensor
Exit Where Is Platinum Found page
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