The main source of platinum is placer deposits, where the native element is found.
Understanding Platinum Sources
Platinum, a precious metal valued for its catalytic properties and resistance to corrosion, is primarily sourced from specific geological formations.
- Placer Deposits: These are concentrations of heavy minerals, including platinum, that accumulate in riverbeds or coastal areas due to natural erosion and weathering processes. Placer deposits are currently the most productive sources of native platinum.
- Native Platinum (Polyxene): The ordinary variety of native platinum is called polyxene; it is composed of approximately 80 to 90 percent platinum, 3 to 11 percent iron, other platinum group metals (PGMs), and traces of gold, copper, and nickel. This composition underscores the complex mineralogy associated with platinum sources.
