Abstract: This invention relates to refining platinum group metal concentrates and the separation therefrom of silver and of the majority of base metals with which they naturally occur. In more detail the process comprises the steps of:(a) contacting a solid particulate mixture of base, silver and precious metal components, any of which components may be in metallic or chemically combined form, with a halogen-containing gas at a temperature which is sufficiently high for the base metal and silver components to form their halides and for the said halides substantially to volatilize from the said solid mixture, and(b) removing the said volatilized halides from the solid precious metal-containing component which remains.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for refining platinum group metal concentrates and the separation therefrom of silver and of the majority of base metals which are present with them. In more detail, the apparatus comprises means for reacting together gaseous hydrogen and chlorine so as to produce a flame and means for passing into the reaction zone of the said flame the said mineral concentrate in finely divided particulate form.The apparatus comprises a tubular burner having a hydrogen-chlorine flame discharging into an inner heat resistant tube, means for the passage of the said mineral concentrates in particulate form through the reaction zone of the hydrogen chlorine flame, means for maintaining the reaction zone of the flame at a temperature within the range 900.degree. C. to 2500.degree. C. and means for scrubbing the reaction products after passage through the flame with an aqueous solution.