PROCESSING
Refining of gold, silver and PGMs
The refining of materials containing precious metals is carried out through thermal and chemical processes to separate the metals contained in the starting material
The main precious metal refining processes
Each type of raw material requires a specific process depending on its starting composition and the desired outcome.
The most efficient techniques are:
- Chemical refining: this process exploits the dissolution of the starting material in acid solutions followed by selective precipitation of the metal to be recovered.
- Electrolytic refining: this is the method that achieves the highest purity in the recovered metal. An electric current is used to migrate precious metal atoms from an anode to a cathode, leaving impurities in the anode slime
Where do we recover value from?
- Jewellery industry waste: filings, offcuts, spent crucibles, abrasive papers, brushes and polishing residues.
- Incineration ash and residues such as dust and ash from extraction systems and laboratory filters.
- Galvanic solutions and baths: recovery of precious metals from spent gold, silver and rhodium plating baths or from rinsing waters.
- Dental alloys: recovery of gold, palladium and platinum from bridges, crowns and dental casting waste.
Technical excellence and environmental responsibility
Precious metal recovery at Cormas is carried out using state-of-the-art technological systems in compliance with stringent environmental regulations and safety standards. Modern refining cannot be separated from sustainability. Cormas is a strategic partner for galvanic industries, jewellery workshops, dental practices and much more.