Rhodium Extraction from the PGM Ore

This report provides a detailed analysis of Rhodium metal extraction from its ore. Rhodium is produced as a by-product of the platinum group of metals (PGM) refining. The production process initiates with the precipitation of noble metal from the PGM ore. The residue is treated with sodium bisulfate and melted leading to the formation of rhodium sulfate.

Rhodium sulphate is treated with sodium hydroxide thus forming rhodium hydroxide. The addition of hydrochloric acid to rhodium hydroxide leads to the formation of a purified acid solution of rhodium(H3RhCl6). Sodium nitrite and ammonium chloride are added to H3RhCl6 resulting in its precipitation. Rhodium precipitate is dissolved and heated in hydrochloric acid and burning removes the impurities forming purified rhodium metal.

The project economic analysis provided in the report discusses a Germany-based plant:

• Manufacturing Process
  • Process Flow
  • Material Flow
  • Material Balance
• Raw Material and Product's Specifications
  • Raw Material Consumption
  • Product and Co-Product Generation
  • Capital Investment
• Land and Site Cost
  • Offsites/Civil Works
  • Equipment Cost
  • Auxiliary Equipment Cost
  • Contingency
  • Engineering and Consulting Charges
  • Working Capital
• Variable Cost
  • Raw Material
  • Utilities
• Fixed Cost
  • Labor Requirement & Wages
  • Overhead Expenses
  • Maintenance Charges
• Financing Costs
  • Interest on Working Capital
  • Interest on Loans
• Depreciation Charges
• General Sales and Admin Costs
• Production Cost Summary