The efficiency of Starbon® materials in metal recovery and separation from Platinum Group Metals (PGM) mine tailings were first demonstrated using a solution of Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Ir2+, Au3+, Pd2+ and Pt2 as a model system.
Starbon® removed the majority of the Au3+, Pd2+ and Pt2+ from solution.
A further study was carried out using a solution with a much lower metals concentration, typical of commercial mining streams where precious metals are found in much lower concentrations than other elements.
Results showed that Starbon® removed >85% of the PGM from solution, leaving the other metals unaltered. Therefore a preferential adsorption of PGM was demonstrated (regardless of starting concentration).
