Platinum.7z

The first documented European reference to platinum appears in the writings of the Italian scholar Julius Caesar Scaliger in 1557. He described a mysterious metal found in Central American mines between Darién (Panama) and Mexico that could not be melted by the methods used for gold or silver. He called it platina — Spanish for “little silver,” a diminutive and dismissive term.

For centuries, Spanish conquistadors and miners considered platinum a nuisance. In the alluvial gold mines of the Río San Juan in Colombia, platinum grains contaminated gold, lowering its value. Spanish authorities even ordered platinum to be thrown back into rivers or sunk at sea, fearing it could be used to counterfeit gold (since platinum has a similar density and does not tarnish).

Approximately 25% of annual platinum supply comes from recycling—mainly from spent catalytic converters (dismantled and processed) and jewelry scrap. Recycling is energy-efficient and reduces mining impact.

Because platinum is infinitely recyclable without loss of properties, recycling programs are crucial. Urban mining—extracting PGMs from e-waste, old catalysts, and industrial scrap—reduces the need for primary mining. Major refiners like Johnson Matthey and Umicore operate advanced recovery facilities.

Platinum catalysts are essential for:

Platinum equipment (crucibles, evaporating dishes, electrodes) resists molten glass, acidic fluxes, and high temperatures.