Platinum Production via Extraction, Concentration and Refining

This report presents an exhaustive cost evaluation of the production of platinum via extraction, concentration and refining. The process starts with breaking and crushing the ore, followed by froth floatation, where the small particles of the crushed ore are mixed with water and chemicals which bind with the platinum. This liquid mixture is then mixed with air bubbles which carry the platinum to the surface. This platinum-rich surface is removed and left to dry until it becomes a concentrated powder. It is further heated to remove impurities, followed by blowing air into this matte to remove iron and sulfur. In the last step, base metals such as copper and nickel are removed, followed by treating the concentrate with aqua regia, which is led by filtering, purifying and burning the mineral to obtain pure platinum.

The project economic analysis provided in the report discusses a Germany-based plant:

• Manufacturing Process
  • Process Flow
  • Material Flow
  • Material Balance
• Raw Material and Product's Specifications
  • Raw Material Consumption
  • Product and Co-Product Generation
  • Capital Investment
• Land and Site Cost
  • Offsites/Civil Works
  • Equipment Cost
  • Auxiliary Equipment Cost
  • Contingency
  • Engineering and Consulting Charges
  • Working Capital
• Variable Cost
  • Raw Material
  • Utilities
• Fixed Cost
  • Labor Requirement & Wages
  • Overhead Expenses
  • Maintenance Charges
• Financing Costs
  • Interest on Working Capital
  • Interest on Loans
• Depreciation Charges
• General Sales and Admin Costs
• Production Cost Summary