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Rhodium Recovery during Dore Processing

Rhodium metallurgical behaviour

  • Rhodium is one of the PGM's (Platinum Group Metals)

  • Rhodium is a Precious Metal, but not so precious as Gold and Silver, or Platinum Palladium

Rhodium in Dore Refining

  • The fundament of Dore refining is the ability of Oxygen to oxidise all metals except Precious Metals

  • During Dore Processing, all impurites can be eliminated as oxides while Precious Metals accumulate in the Dore Furnace

  • But Rhodium is an exception : during Dore Refining, Rhodium is lost in Dore By Products as complex oxide

Controled Rhodium Concentration

  • During Precious Metals Processing, Rhodium Recovery can be obtained thanks to :

  • Use of correct oxygen potential in the Furnace

  • Use of Silver as collector metal

  • Adjusted slag composition

  • As a consequence, Rhodium accumulates in the Furnace

Rhodium in Dore Refining

  • The Silver Refining Process must be monitored in order to identify the several Refining Steps :

  • Adjusting oxygen potential of the Furnace

 

  • Controling of the slag fluidity

  • Monitoring of the slag composition

  • As a result, Rhodium can be extracted and concentrated in a specific portion of the Refining Slag

Economy of the Rhodium Recovery

  • Rhodium : $ 5,000 / to (November 2024) = $ 160,000 / kg current price

  • A Rhodium activity of 25kg / year is common in many Precious Metals Operations

 

  • Potential additional gross value corresponding to 25 kg Rhodium / year : 4 million $ / year

  • The cost for recovering Rhodium is limited :

  • No investment needed, use of existing equipment

  • No additional charges except assaying

Conclusions

  • Check the Rhodium activity in your Precious Metals Operations :

  • Determine the Rhodium content of Input and By Products

  • Establish a Rhodium Mass Balance

  • If Rhodium is confirmed then it makes sense to look at extracting Rhodium

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