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How to select a precious metals refiner

Hints and tips to achieve highest possible values and quickest possible returns from a precious metals refiner while assuring legal compliance. Consider these key questions:

• Does the refiner use state-of-the-art techniques and equipment for measuring (sampling) the precious metals content of the materials to be reclaimed?
• Can the refiner provide fast recovery/processing turnaround time to reduce your precious metals financing cost?
• Will the refiner provide documentation with regard to handling/disposal of solids, liquids, or gaseous by-products at its facilities?

If you are satisfied with answers to these questions, you should investigate further since the ultimate goal is to establish a long term relationship with a refiner on a mutually beneficial basis. For example, you should seek a relationship with a refiner based upon trust and fair treatment; consider these issues:

• Talk to the refiner’s customers and ask about performance history and industry reputation
• Determine the refiner’s financial resources so that you can be assured of payment in a timely manner
• Evaluate the processing methods used to reclaim precious metals with regard to the refiner’s laboratory and processing facilities (the ideal facility would utilize classic volumetric, gravimetric, and fire assay techniques, advanced x-ray fluorescence equipment, atomic absorption, and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) emission spectroscopy. These techniques are considered state-of-the-art industry standards. When used together, or in combination, they provide the most exacting methods for determining precious metal content in spent materials, thus assuring you the highest possible returns.
• It’s best to work with a refiner that has significant in-house capability and does not rely on subcontractors. The more it costs your refiner to process your materials, the less your overall return will be. Depending upon the specific precious metal (and content) of your spent catalyst to be reclaimed, refiners generally use a combination of pyro-metallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes to achieve the highest possible metal recovery at the lowest possible cost.
• Most refiners employ a wide variety of equipment and procedures to process spent catalysts. These include rotary, crucible, and electric arc furnaces, kilns, roasters, thermal processors, pulverizers, granulators, screens, blenders, auto samplers, reactors, dissolvers, precipitators, electrolytic cells, and filter presses. In many cases, how this equipment is employed may have a bearing on the percentage of precious metals recovered from spent catalysts and also on the refiner’s policies relating to effluent and atmospheric discharges. Don’t hesitate to ask questions.
• To cultivate trust, the refiner you select should be willing to provide you with detailed weight and analysis reports on your shipments. The most advanced laboratories typically assay sample materials in triplicate to assure precise precious metal measurements. A reputable organization will allow you to be present during the sampling of your materials and will also permit you to conduct your own independent analysis if desired.

Want to learn more? Please contact us with your questions or comments. We’ll respond promptly with straightforward answers.

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