11. Recycling
The situation is highly complex, depending on the sector. The average value of silver recycling is only around 20%, except in the photographic industry, where it reaches 30%. Recycling activities can be grouped under four headings: craft waste, alloy waste, photographic waste and electronic waste. .
11.1 Craft waste
Precious metals are leaded to form a lead alloy. After melting in a cupellation furnace to eliminate the lead, the silver, gold and platinum are cast into anodes, from which the silver is extracted by electrolysis. The waste represented by the "high silver content" goes directly to electrolytic refining.
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Recycling
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Bibliography
References
Major mining companies
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Australia
Mount Isa Mines
Pasminco
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Canada
Boliden Ltd
Echo Bay Mines
Noranda Inc
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