Ch. 2: Platinum in 1920

Page of 57

Text size:



	38	MINERAL RESOURCES, 1920-—PART I.

	approximately 85 per cent, of refined platinum metals was recovered. The great bulk of the foreign crude material treated by refiners came from Colombia; small quantities were received from Canada and Australia. REFINED PLATINUM METALS. NEW METALS. Reports received from refiners of platinum, gold bullion, nickel, and copper indicate that 41,544 troy ounces of refined new metals of the platinum group were recovered in 1920, a decrease of 3,565 ounces compared with the recoveries in 1919. As will be seen from the following table, the platinum recovered in 1920 was about 10 per cent-less than in 1919, but the palladium recovered in 1920 was about 13 per cent more than in 1919. As nearly as can be estimated, about 13,243 ounces of the new metals recovered in 1920 were derived from domestic material. New platinum and allied metals recovered by refiners, 1916-1920, in troy ounces.



	The estimate of recoveries from domestic material includes 488 ounces from crude placer platinum, 1,092 ounces from ore and concentrates carrying platinum metals, and 11,663 ounces from the refining of gold bullion and copper. The last figure is open to question and probably includes platinum metals recovered from scrap materials. The metals are recovered by the electrolytic refining of a variety of materials and are obtained only after a considerable time. It is almost impossible to arrive at an accurate figure, but the estimate given is based on the best information available. This estimate does not include the platinum metals recovered by the International Nickel Co. at its works at Bayonne, N. J. SECONDARY METALS. Secondary platinum metals are those recovered by treating scrap metals, sweepings, and other waste products of manufacture that contain platinum. Although the reports undoubtedly cover some duplication, it is believed that they are of importance, for the metals so obtained constitute a large part of the domestic supply of platinum—nearly 28 per cent in 1920. Refiners report recoveries of 57,710 ounces of secondary platinum metals in 1920, a decrease of 3,806 ounces compared with the recoveries in 1919.

Page of 57