Application of fluoroxidants for the decomposition and analysis of platinum metals and gold in black shale ores

In order to develop a reliable method for the platinum group metals (PGMs) determination in ores of organic origin like carbonaceous black shale a dec omposition method with fluoroxidants like BrF3 and KBrF4 was established wh ich avoids the common losses of PGM organometallic compounds by volatilazat ion or chemisorption. The recovery from different trapping solutions is dis cussed. Platinum metals are evidently found in the carbonaceous black shale ores from the "Natalka" deposit situated in the Magadan area. PGMs are ver y inhomogenously distributed in the ores and ore concentrates and their tot al contents in ore are 5-18 g/t. The carbonaceous concentrate of black shal e ore contains up to 23 g/t of the sum of platinum metals, greater than or equal to 8% of the sum of platinum and palladium contained in this carbonac eous concentrate are soluble in organic solvents.