Abstract: A process for the recovery of platinum group metals, Ag and Au from a precious metal containing residue which includes the platinum group metals, Ag and Au together with Fe, Cu, Ni, Se and Te, the process comprising the following steps:(a) smelting the precious metal containing residue with leach residue including S and a flux to product (i) a slag and (ii) a copper matte phase containing S, the platinum group metals, Au, Ag, Se and Te, and an excess of Ni and/or Fe as defined in step (b) below,(b) removing excess of the elements Fe or Ni or compounds thereof from the matte phase produced by step (a) by oxidation thus converting the elements or compounds thereof to their respective oxides which then report to the slag phase, the excess being defined as more than about 10% by weight of iron, more than about 15% by weight of nickel or more than about 20% by weight of the total of iron and nickel, based on the weight of the matte phase,(c) contacting the matte phase produced after oxidation step (b) in liquid fo

Abstract: This invention relates to the recovery of platinum group metals and Au and Ag from high sulphur content base metal sulphide ore residues and also to the separation of Ag from the other precious metals referred to.The process for the recovery of platinum group metals, silver and gold from a base metal sulphide-containing leach residue comprises:(a) smelting the said leach residue with a flux to produce:(i) a slag containing FeO, CaO and SiO.sub.

Abstract: A process for recovery of platinum group metals (PGMs) from refractory ceramic substrates containing an aluminium silicate and/or alumina, for example, wash-coated auto emission control catalysts and Pt reforming catalysts. A charge, in divided form, containing the substrate, one or fluxes and a collector is heated in a high heat intensity furnace, to a temperature of at least 1420.degree. C. to produce a molten metallic phase including a substantial proportion of the said metals and a molten slag phase. These are then separated and the platinum group metals subsequently extracted from the metallic phase. By choice of suitable fluxes, at least some alumina can be converted to an aluminium silicate which becomes molten at the operating temperature.

Abstract: This invention relates to the recovery of precious metals which may be present in or associated with ceramic materials, that is to say the secondary refining or recovery of such metals rather than the primary refining of the ore containing them.In particular, the invention relates to a process for the recovery of precious metal deposited upon or contained in refractory ceramic materials comprising preparing in divided form a charge containing the said refractory ceramic materials bearing precious metal, optionally a flux and optionally a metallic collector such that at least 2% by weight of precious metal plus collector metal (if included) is present, subjecting the charge to a temperature of at least 1400.degree. C. to produce a molten metallic phase containing a substantial proportion of the said precious metal=and collector metal (if included) and a slag phase containing ceramic residues and the remainder of the metal and separating the two phases. The flux may be SiO.sub.2 or a mixture of SiO.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of oxidation resistant alloys containing iron, chromium, aluminium and yttrium and/or other rare earth metal or metals in which yttrium and/or other rare earth metal or metals is added to a melt in the form of a master alloy, the master alloy having a melting point of less than 1000.degree. C. The invention also includes an oxidation resistant alloy containing, apart from impurities, yttrium 0.1-3.0%, chromium 5-15%, aluminium 4-6% and iron--balance.

Abstract: This invention relates to refining yttrium. Known methods of refining yttrium involve the use of expensive crucibles made from tantalum or tungsten which are only available in relatively small sizes. According to the present invention there is provided a process for the production of yttrium metal and alloys thereof in which calcium (metal) and yttrium fluoride are reacted together by use of a submerged electric arc in a molten slag.

Abstract: This invention relates to the extraction of metals. More particularly, the invention is concerned with the extraction of one or more precious metals from material containing such metals. By "precious metals", both here and throughout the remainder of this specification, meant gold, silver and the platinum group metals, platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium. In particular the invention relates to a process for the extraction of precious metal from a material containing a precious metal selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium and including heating a mixture comprising the said material, copper sulphide or at least one precursor thereof and a flux.