Behavior of the Concentrate of Rare Platinum Metals in Autoclave Conditions

Abstract

Behavior of the concentrate of platinum-accompanying metals in autoclave conditions was studied with the use of various solvents: water and aqueous solutions of formic acid, sulfuric acid, and sodium hydroxide. The quantitative values of the recovery of noble metals and impurity nonferrous elements from the concentrate were found. It was shown that the best results are obtained with a preliminary calcination of the concentrate, followed by an autoclave treatment of the cinder in sulfuric acid. In this case, the content of noble metals in the concentrate increases from 29 to 51% due to the selective removal of considerable amounts of impurity elements: tellurium, nickel, iron, copper, and arsenic.