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 decomposition method with fluoroxidants like BrF sub 3 and KBrF sub 4 was established which avoids the common losses of PGM organometallic compounds by volatilization or chemisorption. The recovery from different trapping solutions is discussed. Platinum metals are evidently found in the carbonaceous black shale ores from the 'Natalka' deposit situated in the Magadan area. PGMs are very inhomogeneously distributed in the ores and ore concentrates and their total contents in ore are 5-18 g/t. The carbonaceous concentrate of black shale ore contains up to 23 g/t of the sum of platinum metals. > 8% of the sum of platinum and palladium contained in this carbonaceous concentrate are soluble in organic solvents.