Noranda recently installed a new hydrometallurgical processing system at CCR to separate PGEs from gold and recover them in a bulk precipitate. Uses of Platinum group metals The platinum group, particularly platinum metal itself, is widely used in decorative applications but the principal uses are industrial. Despite their relative scarcity and high price, unique physical and chemical properties have made PGEs indispensible in a variety of industrial uses. Platinum's principal uses are in catalysts designed to control automobile exhaust emissions and in jewelery. The main uses of palladium are in the electrical and electronics industries, and in dental alloys.
Rhodium is used in automobile catalysts and as an alloyed agent with platinum.
Iridium is used in the electrochemical and catalytic applications. The main uses of ruthenium are electrochemical and electronic. Osmium is used in the chemical and medical fields. In spite of our best efforts, the above list may not include all platinum group metals producing companies in Canada.