Determination of Platinum, Gold and Silver

P

pablohdez3

New Member
#1
Hey guys,
I'm a student in a mineral assay course and I have been trying to find some information about the procedures for the determination of the following ores;
-Low grade Pt, Au and Ag
-High grade Pt, Au and Ag

So far I didn't have any luck, is kind of hard to find information about fire assay in the internet. So please; if anyone got an idea, webpage or knows this information let me know.

Thanks.
 
fireguy

fireguy

Supermoderator
#3
Hey guys,
I'm a student in a mineral assay course and I have been trying to find some information about the procedures for the determination of the following ores;
-Low grade Pt, Au and Ag
-High grade Pt, Au and Ag

So far I didn't have any luck, is kind of hard to find information about fire assay in the internet. So please; if anyone got an idea, webpage or knows this information let me know.

Thanks.
Shepard & Dietrich have a good section on Platinum (and gold and silver) assaying. They suggest using a standard litharge lead collection method with several additional steps. You might check Chapter 12: The Fire Assay for the Platinum Metals:

www.lmine.com/product/17202A.html
 
P

Pappy

New Member
#4
Do you know what are the added steps are to the standard? Does anyone know what flux material is needed to bring the PGM's into the bead? Thanks.
 
fireguy

fireguy

Supermoderator
#5
Do you know what are the added steps are to the standard? Does anyone know what flux material is needed to bring the PGM's into the bead? Thanks.
Pappy:
If you are using the method suggested by Shepard & Dietrich, the litharge (PbO) in the flux would be reduced to metallic lead (flour typically being used as a reducer). The molten lead will solubilize and collect the PGM's.

When you cupel the lead button, the lead will be oxidized and absorbed into the cupel and the PGM's will be left as a bead on the surface of the cupel.
 
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