Platinum group metals are noble metals that exist in different geological settings with different mineralogies. Of the different mineralogies, sulphide ores are the main source. To separate valuable particles from gangue material, the froth flotation method is used. Since not all ores are sulphides, some non-sulphide ores also exist, depending on the geological location. Some sulphides may also be chemically altered to produce mineral complexes with different mineralogies that are not easily floated with conventional collectors. Complexity of mineralogy together with decreasing ore grade reduces the efficiency of the conventional collectors. Currently used collectors for sulphide ores are not environmentally friendly. In a way to reduce mineral losses from the use of conventional collectors, several studies have been done on the use of nanoparticles as alternatives. Although there are no trials that have been done on platinum group minerals, nanoparticles have been shown to have higher recoveries than xanthate collectors. Of the nanoparticles studied, lignin has been shown to reduce negative environmental impact by up to 10%. When functionalized, lignin particles can be used as collectors. The particles will have to be prepared so that they do not agglomerate, as it is a major challenge in nanoparticles.
Given A. Nhendere (Wed,) studied this question.