Metallurgical refining process noble metals from contaminants is called refining. This process is used to obtain pure precious metals of a wide variety of samples for the jewelry industry, the production of bank bullion, and government stocks. Refineries - enterprises with the necessary equipment and technologies, specializing in the processing of industrial semi-finished products, concentrates and alloys in order to extract high-purity precious metals.
Primary Refining
Refining is carried out in several chemical ways, depending on the type precious metal. Electrolysis, cupellation, reactions of chemical solutions and acids are used. The silver content in the material obtained after refining reaches 99.9%, gold - 99.65%. The supply of raw materials to refineries is carried out from the concentrating plants, mining and metallurgical and mining and processing plants, and recycling plants. The choice of a refining enterprise by a supplier is purely subjective and mainly depends on the cost of refining, which is not the same for all such productions. The location of the enterprise in this case does not play a role.
Recognized Russian Refineries
Recognized producers of high-purity gold are those refineries in Russia that are listed on the list of companies of the London Association of the Market of Precious Metals (LBMA). Recognized enterprises entitled to manufacture high-purity precious metals:
- Krasnoyarsk non-ferrous metals plant (refinery OJSC “Krastsvetmet”). The enterprise was built in the early 40s of the twentieth century for the processing of copper and nickel ores of the Norilsk deposit and the refining of platinum metals. Today it is the only enterprise in the Russian Federation that produces all types of precious metals. The Krastsvetmet raw material base consists of concentrates of the Norilsk Combine for 70%. The products of the plant are certified and meet international standards. The company is listed in the list of manufacturers of precious metals on the New York, Tokyo and London stock exchanges.
- One of the oldest enterprises in Russia is the Yekaterinburg non-ferrous metal processing plant. The plant was built in 1916 for the refining of platinum. Today, the plant processes refined gold, alloys and secondary precious metals. The company produces both technical and jewelry from pure precious metals. Like the Krasnoyarsk plant, EZOTsM has an international certificate for its Good Delivery products.
Russian producers of pure precious metals
Refineries whose products do not have an international certificate:
- Prioksky plant of non-ferrous metals. The company was commissioned in 1974 in the city of Kasimov, Ryazan region. Until 1991, the plant produced metals and alloys, and subsequently was reprofiled to produce the highest grade gold (99.99) for state stock.
- Novosibirsk Refinery is the oldest gold processing plant in Russia. Until the 91st year, the enterprise was a monopolist in ensuring state gold reserves (Gokhran) and processed 60% of all gold mined. The plant is famous for its high traditions. production culture and products of the highest quality.
- Schelkovsky plant of secondary precious metals.A Moscow region enterprise specializing in processing relatively rich secondary raw materials with a gold content of at least 2% and silver at least 5%. It is worth noting that the number of such secondary precious metals (VDM) is quite limited in the commodity market.
- JSC “Uralelectromed” is an enterprise specializing in the processing of copper concentrates, the so-called “copper gold”. The enterprise, located in the Sverdlovsk region, was previously one of the key suppliers of Gokhran. A large proportion of the raw material structure is secondary alloys based on copper.
- Kolyma refinery is one of the newest enterprises, launched in 1998. The main purpose of the plant is the refining of local material.
- The Kyshtym Copper Electrolyte Plant, located in the Chelyabinsk Region, produces gold and silver from poor scrap.
Refining of secondary precious metals
Secondary Precious Metals (VDM) refineries specialize in waste recycling special concentrates, some products of primary processing in order to extract precious metals. The degree of refining, environmental friendliness and efficiency of the process at such enterprises depend on the technological effectiveness of the enterprise, the raw material base, and the chosen specialization. Refineries of the Russian Federation that process VDM: Krastsvetmet, Prioksky and Schelkovsky plant, EZOTsM, Kolyma refinery.
