Case Study Snapshot: Platinum Group Metal Refining Equipment in South Africa
Location: South Africa
Feed: Mixed PGM concentrate containing platinum, palladium and rhodium
Customer priorities: Stable rectifier control, reduced scaling, effluent compliance and local spare-parts support
Scope: Process review, metallurgical testwork, equipment specification, commissioning support and operator training
In this confidential customer case, a PGM refinery in South African needed to expand platinum, palladium and rhodium refining capacity without inheriting the downtime problems of its older line. The customer’s goal was not simply to buy equipment; it was to keep the refining circuit stable, compliant and easy to maintain in a real South African mining environment.
Why the Customer Needed Different Platinum Group Metal Refining Equipment
Customer engineering team was concerned about three issues: voltage fluctuations from the local grid, hard water that accelerated scaling in heat exchangers and piping, and stricter wastewater and emission controls. They had seen standard PGM refining equipment underperform when these variables were ignored.
How We Specified PGM Refining Equipment for South African Conditions
Power Stability and Rectifier Control
For the electrolytic refining section, we specified rectifiers with wider input-voltage tolerance and automatic current-density correction.
Water Hardness, Scaling and Corrosion Control
Because the local water was hard, we changed the heat-exchanger arrangement, added a targeted softening stage and selected materials that reduced scaling risk. The customer’s maintenance team now has a clear water-quality checklist and recommended cleaning intervals.
Effluent, Emissions and Compliance
The plant was designed with contained wash-down, pH-controlled neutralisation and monitored exhaust points. We supplied documentation for the customer’s environmental file, including material specifications and maintenance schedules.
Commissioning and Training
Commissioning was phased so the customer could verify each section—base metal removal, precious-metal separation and final refining—before full production. Operators received hands-on training in start-up, shutdown, fault diagnosis and safe acid handling.
The customer reported fewer unplanned stops and more consistent control of the refining circuit.
Talk to Our Engineers About Your South African PGM Project
If you are planning a platinum, palladium or rhodium refining project in South Africa, contact us to request a site-specific assessment, discuss testwork, or learn more about our PGM refining equipment.
📩 Get Your Free Quote Today
Contact us today to discuss your project, capacity requirements, and target materials. Our team will reply within 24 hours with a customized proposal. You can also reach us directly at guanmamachinery@gmail.com — we are here to help!
