Mining & Processing

How Ruthenium Is Mined and Processed

Ruthenium (Ru) is a platinum group metal with global annual production of approximately 35 tonnes, primarily from South Africa and Russia. Typical ore grades range from Byproduct - ~0.3 g/t in PGM ores.

Mining Methods

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

• Byproduct of platinum/palladium mining

Ore Types and Mineralogy

The principal ore types and mineral sources for Ruthenium include:

• Merensky Reef
• UG2 Chromitite

Processing and Beneficiation

Following extraction, Ruthenium ore undergoes the following processing stages:

1. PGM refinery separation
2. Distillation of RuO4
3. Hydrogen reduction

Environmental and Regulatory Considerations

Mining and processing of Ruthenium 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 South Africa where 85% of global production is concentrated.