Metals play a key role in our day-to-day lives. We all know about Gold and Platinum, but do you recognize these other precious metals and can you identify their uses?
Rhodium
Rhodium is one of the metals you will find listed on Market Spot Price, right up there with Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Palladium. It is a member of the Platinum group and is resistant to corrosion. This metal is used as a catalyst in the chemical industry and used to coat optical fibers, optical mirrors, and headlight reflectors.
Platinum
This identifiable metal held the throne in commodity pricing for decades until it was overtaken by Gold. This precious metal is used in jewelry and many industrial applications, including fuel cells, dental work, electronic components, medical, glass, and petroleum.
Gold
The reigning metal; this one needs no introduction. Collected and traded as a commodity, used in jewelry, industrial applications, and dental applications. Its conductivity component is key to the electronics industry.
Ruthenium
This metal is less known and is a member of the platinum family of precious metals. It is popular for its ability to increase hardness and resistance when added as an alloy to palladium and platinum. Ruthenium is also used in the medical and chemical industries.
Iridium
Another member of the Platinum family and the most extreme, this metal has a very high melting point and is the most corrosion-resistant metal. Iridium is a by-product of nickel mining and is also processed from Platinum ore. Although it has many uses, it is primarily used as a hardening agent in platinum alloy.
We rely so heavily on metals. They have provided us the ability to create new technologies, are used in radiotherapy treatment of some eye tumors, and can create radiation shields. They permeate our lives.
It is only because of the mining industry that we have the precious metals and advancements we do. Granted, the mining industry may not have created the new technologies on paper, but without the hard work and sacrifices of the miners and mining community, the technology would not come to fruition. Miners rule!
Are you looking for the next step in your mining career or to hire your next crew member? Connect with me and contact me today and let’s start a conversation about how I can help.
