Characterizing and recovering the platinum group minerals––a review

• Published in: Minerals engineering Vol. 17; no. 9; pp. 961 - 979
• Main Authors: Xiao, Z., Laplante, A.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2004
• Subjects: Flotation; Gravity concentration; Ore mineralogy; Precious metal ores; VP-SEM, variable pressure scanning electron microscopy; BMS, base metal sulphides; PGMs, platinum group minerals; Flotation; Ore mineralogy; SE, secondary electrons; BSE, backscattered electrons; MLA, mineral liberation analyser; QEMScan, quantitative evaluation of materials by scanning electron; ROM, run of mine; SIMS, secondary ion mass spectrometer; LIMS, laser ionization mass spectrometer microscopy; PGEs, platinum group elements; EDX, energy dispersive X-ray analyser; GRPGMs, gravity recoverable platinum group minerals; CMC, carboxymethyl cellulose; SEM, scanning electron microscopy; ESEM, environmental scanning electron microscopy; GRG, gravity recoverable gold; Precious metal ores; Gravity concentration
• ISSN: 0892-6875; 1872-9444
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mineng.2004.04.001

Methods of characterizing and recovering the platinum group minerals are reviewed in this paper. First, a classification of platinum group minerals (PGMs) ore types is briefly introduced, followed by the introduction of some representative platinum group minerals. Second, the sample preparation techniques for mineralogy studies are presented, followed by a brief introduction of instruments used for characterizing PGMs. Third, the mineralogy of specific ores amenable to gravity, flotation and the flowsheet for recovering platinum group minerals in several mills of interest are discussed in details. Finally, new research trends of recovering PGMs and conclusions are briefly presented.