Mining & Processing

How Palladium Is Mined and Processed

Palladium (Pd) is a platinum group metal with global annual production of approximately 210 tonnes, primarily from Russia and South Africa. Typical ore grades range from 2-8 g/t PGM (Pd-rich in Stillwater and Norilsk).

Mining Methods

Palladium is extracted through the following methods, selected based on deposit type and geology:

• Underground mining (narrow reef)
• Open-pit mining (Platreef)

Ore Types and Mineralogy

The principal ore types and mineral sources for Palladium include:

• Merensky Reef
• UG2 Chromitite
• Platreef
• Stillwater sulfides
• Norilsk sulfides

Processing and Beneficiation

Following extraction, Palladium ore undergoes the following processing stages:

1. Flotation, smelting, and base metal refinery
2. Selective precipitation and solvent extraction
3. Refining to sponge or ingot

Environmental and Regulatory Considerations

Mining and processing of Palladium must comply with environmental regulations governing water use, tailings management, emissions, and land rehabilitation. Increasingly stringent environmental standards are raising production costs but also driving innovation in cleaner extraction technologies. The social license to operate and community engagement have become critical factors in project development, particularly in Russia where 40% of global production is concentrated.