Do the platinum minerals occur in mineable quantities, if
they do exist?
The answer to this question is a qualified, "No." To our knowledge there has never been
production of platinum from Arizona. The definition of ore is rock that can be mined and will
yield its valuable mineral at a profit. To be classified as platinum ore, the platinum content would
have to make up a significant portion of the value of the ore. The recovery of trace amounts of
platinum group metals from other ores in the final stages of refining does not make the rock
platinum ore. Although no one can predict the future, the present knowledge of the geology,
mineralogy and economics of platinum and Arizona are not conducive to the discovery of
producible quantities of platinum group metal ores in Arizona.
Are platinum group metals now produced from newly mined
rock (not platinum ore) in Arizona?
The answer is, "Yes." Platinum group elements are recovered from anode slimes produced
during the refining of copper. Emphasis must be placed on the term "refining" of copper. Slimes
are not produced at the smelter stage of copper production. In addition, the process must be
electrolytic and not fire refining.
As an example, one ton of anode slimes is recovered from 178,200 tons of ore at the electrolytic
refinery of Inspiration Consolidated Copper Company at Inspiration, Arizona. At this rate, the
following figures can be calculated based on known concentration ratios and recoveries (custom
ore to the refinery is also included in this calculation):
66 tons of copper ore = 1 ton of copper concentrate
3 tons of concentrate(198 tons of ore) = 1 ton of copper anode
900 tons of anode (178,200 tons of ore)= 1 ton of cathode slime
2 tons of slime(356,400 tons of ore) = 1 ounce of platinum
In addition to the platinum, some palladium and other precious metals are recovered. By
they do exist?
The answer to this question is a qualified, "No." To our knowledge there has never been
production of platinum from Arizona. The definition of ore is rock that can be mined and will
yield its valuable mineral at a profit. To be classified as platinum ore, the platinum content would
have to make up a significant portion of the value of the ore. The recovery of trace amounts of
platinum group metals from other ores in the final stages of refining does not make the rock
platinum ore. Although no one can predict the future, the present knowledge of the geology,
mineralogy and economics of platinum and Arizona are not conducive to the discovery of
producible quantities of platinum group metal ores in Arizona.
Are platinum group metals now produced from newly mined
rock (not platinum ore) in Arizona?
The answer is, "Yes." Platinum group elements are recovered from anode slimes produced
during the refining of copper. Emphasis must be placed on the term "refining" of copper. Slimes
are not produced at the smelter stage of copper production. In addition, the process must be
electrolytic and not fire refining.
As an example, one ton of anode slimes is recovered from 178,200 tons of ore at the electrolytic
refinery of Inspiration Consolidated Copper Company at Inspiration, Arizona. At this rate, the
following figures can be calculated based on known concentration ratios and recoveries (custom
ore to the refinery is also included in this calculation):
66 tons of copper ore = 1 ton of copper concentrate
3 tons of concentrate(198 tons of ore) = 1 ton of copper anode
900 tons of anode (178,200 tons of ore)= 1 ton of cathode slime
2 tons of slime(356,400 tons of ore) = 1 ounce of platinum
In addition to the platinum, some palladium and other precious metals are recovered. By
