Precious Metalsmaking our world a better place

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The European precious metals industry 4One world, our world. Let’s sustain it 8Exceptional Properties 12Here, There, Everywhere 14It’s about Saving Lives 16It’s about the Future 18Contact 20

Table of Contents

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Melting of precious metal containing scrap and other complex streams

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The European Precious Metals FederationFollowing several years of low profile activity, twelve well known European precious metal (PM) companies and national associations have steered the foundation of the European Precious Metals Federation (EPMF a.i.s.b.l.) as an international non-profit association registered under the Law of Belgium.

The federation represents the interests of its Members vis-à-vis the European authorities on several topics of relevance for the sector such as the safety of chemicals and waste management; access to raw materials, re-cycling and sustainability; energy and climate change; trade, customs, tax and competitiveness; etc.

Gathering the experience, the knowledge and the expertise of industrial and regulatory specialists of the PM sector is achieved by establishing a cooperation network, and where necessary, form alliances, with organisations such as Eurométaux (of which EPMF is a Member), the International Platinum Group Metals Association (IPA) and other associations with whom EPMF shares common goals and values.

By informing its Members on the evolving European regulatory landscape, the EPMF is able to prepare, with the contribution and support of its Members, common position and/or response statements and strategies to specific situations or questions. The promulgation or implementation of these then strengthen the presence of the PM industry in the relevant scientific, socio- economic, political and environmental debates and raise public and authorities’ awareness of PM and the PM industry, while promoting compliance of the PM sector towards EU regulations.

Europe boasts the most extensive refining and manufacturing capacity for precious metals in the world. Members of this industry – from the smallest to the largest – contribute to the well-being and sustainable development of European society and in many more respects than generally thought.

The European Precious Metals Industry

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Platinum grains and bars

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Supporting all industriesBeyond jewellery and gold coins, the European Precious Metals Industry designs and produces a wide array of materials, industrial components and chemicals that facilitate the production of – or are part of – thou-sands of products that form the fabric of our economy. These products significantly improve our health, our environment, our everyday life and safety, and the competitiveness of scores of industries.

Thanks to its sustained research efforts, technological expertise and innovative spirit, the European Precious Metals Industry strives to meet and exceed the chal-lenges posed by legislative developments, particularly on the environmental and consumer health and safety fronts. In so doing, the Precious Metals Industry en-ables many other industries – automotive, aerospace, and petro-chemical among others – to meet increas-ingly stringent environmental standards.

Preventing wasteThe European Precious Metals Industry is unique in its ability to recycle, refine and generally optimise

any raw materials containing precious metals, from the most simple to the most complex. The substan-tial amount of precious metals contained in the scrap and residues our consumer society generates can be almost entirely reprocessed by the industry to preserve our planet’s resources.

Maintaining dialogueThe precious metals industry maintains a constructive dialogue with the European authorities in all areas of policy and legislation of relevance to the sector. This dialogue is steered directly by the EPMF secretariat, its officers, delegates and Members as well as indirectly, by Eurométaux, the Brussels-based European Association for Non-Ferrous Metals of which the EPMF is a Member.

Leaders in fabricationAlthough Europe does not have significant mining sources of precious metals, it plays a major role in product fabrication:

The European precious metals industry has a two hundred year history of innovation and global lead-

Emission control catalysts are coated with precious metals

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Europe’s Share of Gold Silver Platinum Palladium

World Mine Production 1% 8% 0% 0%

World Scrap Supply 12% 23% 25% 30%

World Product Fabrication 14% 21% 40% 20%

ership in advanced materials technology. Employing more than 30 000 highly skilled workers across the European Union, the sector makes a critical contribu-tion to global market supply chains for these strategi-cally important materials.

European precious metals technology is the defining solution for many of the world’s pressing problems

including the reduction in pollution and the improve-ment of health. The industry has comprehensive recy-cling capability and the ability to establish true sus-tainability in a world of diminishing natural resources.

Though precious metals have many industrial uses, they are usually known for their uses in jewellery

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The Precious Metals Industry is committed to preserving our planet’s resources and respecting its envi-ronment: by taking the lead in developing technologies that significantly reduce carbon monoxide, hyd-rocarbons and other toxic emissions; by helping electronics manufacturers develop devices that use less energy; by helping builders implement more energy-saving features in their constructions; and finally by ensuring, to the best of its abilities, that all scrap containing precious metals is appropriately recycled. The industry’s concerted effort to recover most or all of the precious metal content in waste materials consu-med by end-users or generated by other industries has, over the decades, sharpened its understanding of key environmental issues.

One World, our Own. Let’s Sustain it

The European Precious Metals Industry, represented by the European Precious Metals Federation (EPMF), unanimously supports the principles of sustainability. EPMF Member companies have aligned their activities and products so that they contribute to the welfare of people today whilst minimizing impacts on future generations. The industry is making every effort to adopt environmentally, socially and financially respon-sible business practices.

The EPMF commits to:

…creating sustainable and meaningful economic growthPrecious Metals have unique properties that make them highly valuable for society. They are indispens-able materials that enable innovation and technical progress, environmental protection and energy saving, and thereby enhance the quality of life. Precious met-als are highly recyclable which means that they can be recovered when a product containing these materials has reached the end of its useful life. They are compo-nents which once having come to light from under-ground can be re-used time and time again.

…looking at economy as a wholeLike all materials precious metals consume resources when being produced: land, water, energy, capital, and labour. However, within the continuous life cycle of precious metals these costs are counterbalanced by the benefits they have on individual lives, the environ-ment, as well as on technical progress. These benefits include auto-catalysts that help to reduce emissions from gasoline and diesel engines, improving energy

efficiency of industrial processes, and enhancing medical technology to improve health care. The EPMF Member companies invest in the research and devel-opment of applications using precious metals that contribute to sustainable development, and into the ongoing training of our employees.

…improving eco-efficiencyThe EPMF Member companies continuously improve the eco-efficiency of metallurgical processes and of the products made thereof. Manufacturing precious metals out of a recycling process – so-called “urban mining” – guarantees that these valuable resources are re-used and that the demand for primary mining with its environmental impacts is limited. Furthermore, the industry is continuously developing technical so-lutions that allow a reduction in the use of precious metals in applications while maintaining their proper functioning.

…communicating Precious Metals as showpieces of a natural life cyclePrecious metals are one of the treasures of our planet. After being mined they are processed into products that make our life modern, pleasant, sound in mind and body, valuable or simply beautiful. Old precious metals can be recycled and given a new life. Precious Metals once having brightened up the neck of a beau-tiful woman may be today used in electronic circuits, in CD-ROMs, in glasses or in pacemakers.

…focussing on ethical business practicesThe high value of Precious Metals requires a special focus on ethical business practices. EPMF Members

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uphold fundamental human rights and respect cul-tures, customs and values in dealing with employees and others who are affected by our activities. The Precious Metals ethical principles engage employees, business partners, customers, and all people directly or indirectly affected by our operations. Our understand-ing of ethical behaviour covers especially the areas of health, environment, safety, labour, taxation, and the prohibition of anti-competitive practices.

…standing up for equal opportunitiesThe Member companies of EPMF respect the rules of free and fair competition. We also expect our business partners to abide by the same principles. Equal oppor-tunities comprise social responsibility, the ban of child labour and hard labour, no tolerance towards discrimi-nation of employees and other people.

…initiating open discussions with stakeholdersThe EPMF and its Members are always looking for proactive solutions that contribute to sustainable development. Therefore we aim to engage partners throughout the precious metals value chain: govern-ments, local and global communities, environmental and social non-governmental organizations, employ-ees, customers, suppliers, media and other stakehold-ers in constructive dialogues to learn about their ex-pectations.

Examples of sustainable solutions:

Pollution controlFor over 35 years, autocatalysts containing platinum group metals have proven the most effective way to tackle pollution generated by all types of petrol and diesel vehicles. Autocatalysts eliminate 98% of harm-ful emissions from engine exhausts; without them, the average family car would emit 15 tonnes of polluting gases over a 10-year life span.

Ongoing advances in autocatalyst technology have helped auto manufacturers meet increasingly stringent emission standards, keeping pollution in check despite the ever-growing number of cars on our roads.

The precious metals industry also contributes to pollution control from stationary sources, such as factories, through the manufacture of catalysts which remove pollutants and odours from a variety of indus-trial processes.

Energy savingsThe gold, palladium and silver found in electronic devices ensure that they reliably make contact even after 1 million operations and that they do not over-heat or waste energy. The layer of silver coating used on industrial glass reflects heat radiation.

Electronics scrap waiting for recycling

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This keeps out nearly 95% of the sun’s rays and also curtails heat loss through windows in wintertime. This heat reflection translates into huge savings by reducing energy demand for housing and heating as well as air-conditioning needs in buildings and cars.

Over 90% of solar panels used today rely on silver conductors to activate the generation of electricity.

One of the main devices required for the production of glass wool – widely used for thermal insulation purposes – consists of a platinum alloy.

RecyclingPrecious metals are unique raw materials. They can be reprocessed over and over again without this ever impairing their qualities or performance. The fact that they are as scarce as they are valuable has histori-cally driven the need to recycle and re-use them.

Today, the European Precious Metals Industry boasts the most comprehensive and technologically advanced refining facilities in the world. Virtually all end-of-life products and production scrap contain-ing precious metals can be successfully and eco-nomically refined. Recoveries exceed 95% and, de-pending on the type of material, often surpass 99%.Not only is the efficient recovery and recycling of precious metals essential to the economics of the industry, it also preserves the world’s natural re-sources by significantly reducing the need for addi-tional new metal.

Moreover, the recovery of precious metals helps maintain the health of the environment. The Precious Metals Industry encourages this by helping dozens of industries develop appropriate collection processes.

Over 90% of solar panels rely on silver conductors

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Gold bar and silver granules

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Exceptional Properties

Gold is the most malleable and ductile of all metals. It is routinely alloyed with other metals to render it harder, particularly in the jewellery, dental and elec-trical arenas. Chemically stable, gold does not cor-rode or tarnish and remains an excellent conductor of heat and electricity.

Silver remains the best electrical and thermal conductor of all metals but, unlike gold, it tarnishes easily. Slightly harder than gold, and with a lower melting point, silver responds in such a way that it guarantees the broadest range of applications. Silver’s high reflectivity ensures its use in mirrors, and the unique photo-reactive nature of its chemicals guarantees its application in photographic products.

Platinum is also an excellent conductor and is mal-leable enough to be worked into fine wires and intricate shapes. Platinum’s high melting point and resistance to corrosion allows it to maintain its per-formance in even the most demanding operating con-ditions, making it an unmatched high temperature construction material. Also an exceptional catalyst, platinum is widely used to promote chemical reac-tions between other substances.

Palladium shares most of platinum’s properties de-spite its lower density and melting point. It is most widely used as a catalyst in car exhaust converters and in the chemical industry.

Extremely corrosion resistant and boasting high melting points, iridium, rhodium and ruthenium also present unique properties making them suitable for scores of critical catalytic and industrial applications.

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From the alarm clock that awakens us, to the light switch we flip on. From the catalysts that reduce our cars’ noxious emissions, to the mobile phone that connects us to our peers. Precious metals are active in every aspect of our life. Every day, we unknowingly rely on them to work, travel, communicate and improve our life. Here are but a few examples.

Electronic circuitsElectronic components – connectors, contacts, printed circuit boards – are plated with a thin layer of gold or palladium that helps dissipate heat and maintains the electrical properties of electrical junctions, as well as the performance of the device in which they are integrated.

Electrical switchesMany electrical components — switches, contacts, re-lays and circuit breakers — boast silver tips to ensure the quality of the electrical contacts.

Electrical devicesThe electrode layers used in 15% of the world’s ceramic capacitors – essential to the functioning of cars, phones, computers, TVs and even aircraft – are made with a palladium-silver paste.

DentistryDurable and non-toxic, gold, platinum and palladi-um are used in a variety of dental applications.

Music and dataBoth silver and gold are present in CD-ROMs. Their superior reflectivity allows for a greater density of in-formation storage and guarantees high-quality restitu-tion of data. Computer hard disks are coated with thin layers of platinum and ruthenium that increase their data storage capacity.

PhotographyPhotographic film is coated with silver halide, which undergoes a photochemical reaction when exposed to light. The images are developed onto photographic paper, also coated with silver halide.

GlassDue to their high melting points and resistance to corrosion by molten glass, platinum-rhodium alloys are used in fabrication of speciality glasses used in display technologies and decorative glassware.

ConstructionThe ultra-strong brazing joints found in industrially engineered structures contain silver, as do photo-sensitive windows, routinely used in office buildings. Platinum-rhodium alloys are used in the manufac-ture of insulating and reinforcement glass fibre

Cancer therapiesPlatinum is an active constituent in a range of drugs used in cancer treatment.

Medical devicesThe excellent biocompatibility of platinum, combined with its radio-opacity ensures its extensive use in life saving cardiovascular implants such as defibrillators and pacemaker electrodes.

Here, There, Everywhere

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Car safety and reliabilityOur cars’ fuel injection system, airbag inflation devices and spark plugs all rely on the properties of platinum, palladium and iridium.

Vehicle exhaustsThe catalytic properties of platinum, palladium and rhodium are successfully harnessed to convert our cars’ and trucks’ harmful emissions – carbon monox-ide, hydrocarbons oxides of nitrogen and soot – into non-toxic gases.

Basic chemicalsFrom fertilisers to polymers and from sodium hydrox-ide to oil derivatives, the chemicals used by hundreds

of industries owe their existence to the unique cata-lytic properties of platinum, palladium, ruthenium, iridium and rhodium.

Fuel CellsPlatinum and ruthenium are used in fuel cell elec-trodes. This clean technology that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity is finding applica-tions in battery chargers, residential combined heat & power units, uninterruptible power supplies and fork-lift trucks.

Components for pacemakers are made of Platinum-Iridium alloys

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It’s about Saving LivesOf the myriad applications utilising precious metals, those that improve our health are – ironically – the least publicised. Most people know that gold, thanks to its biocompatibility, functional performance and aesthetic effect, constitutes the basis for the majority of dental alloys.

But not everyone realises that it is also present in brain tomography equipment, or platinum in the elec-trode tips and rings of defibrillators, or iridium in radio therapies that retard – and even neutralise – cancerous growth. Precious metals revolutionise Medicine.

Preventing cardiac arrestPrecious metals have made their way deep into our veins: stents, the small, cylindrical metal gauzes im-planted in cardiovascular patients to dilate arteries – and prevent heart attacks – are accurately located by the surgeon thanks to the radio-opacity of gold and platinum-iridium marker bands which allow the sur-geon to monitor the position of the stent during the placement procedure. Platinum is now used as an al-loying element in the stent itself. This delicate proce-dure, during which the stent is threaded on a catheter and then anchored inside the cardiac artery, requires continuous X-ray monitoring.

Fighting cancerThe European Precious Metals Industry has developed pharmaceutically active agents used in manufacturing intravenous solutions to combat certain types of cancer. As a result, platinum compounds have now become an essential contributor to the chemotherapy battle against cancer of the testes, ovaries, larynx, bladder and lungs. Since the introduction of platinum-based therapies, the recovery probability for patients suffering from urological, cervical or ovarian cancer has risen to over 90%.

Keeping Us Safe on the Road and at HomeOur society has evolved to the point where we take our cars for granted. What’s more, we expect and as-sume that the cars we buy are safe enough to entrust them with our children’s lives. We forget how intricate a car’s safety mechanisms can be, and what a huge role the minutest microchip can play. Hundreds of

different electronic micro-systems are constantly at work, unnoticed, in today’s cars. This number will only multiply in the future. The indispensable, basic ele-ments for electronic aggregates in our cars contain innovative and exceptionally precise components. Many are made of precious metals.

Activating airbagsThe ignition wire triggering the automatic inflation of a car’s airbag is made from a platinum alloy.

Braking at willThe chips and contacts found in a car’s ABS system all contain gold, silver and palladium.

Preventing firesSmoke detectors, routinely used in millions of house-holds, contain a gold alloy placed between layers of palladium. Domestic and industrial carbon monoxide sensors rely upon the stable electrical resistance of ultra-fine platinum wires.

Preventing accidentsFuses are routinely used to protect electrical equip-ment from power surges, thereby preventing danger-ous incidents in both domestic and industrial environ-ments. Silver alloys, which exhibit unique electrical and metallurgical properties, are a critical component of most electrical fuses.

Purifying waterSilver is famous for its anti-bacterial effect. During sterilisation with silver, the microorganisms contained

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Pt = Platinum | Pd = Palladium | Rh = Rhodium | Ir = Iridium | Ru = Ruthenium | Au = Gold | Ag = Silver

Product Precious metal(s) ApplicationsAutomobiles Pt, Pd, Rh

Pt, Pd, Ir, RhPtPt, Pd, Ru, Ag, AuAg

Pollution control catalystSpark plugsEngine control sensors, airbag initiatorsElectronics for engine management systemsHeated rear windows, switches and contact

Almost all consumer electronics… Audio equipment, Mobile phones, Digital cameras, Televi-sions and video, RecordersEtc

Au, Pd, Ag, Ru Numerous applications of one or several precious metals in essential electronic components such as multi-layer ceramic capacitors, printed circuit boards, resistors, hybrid integrated circuits, etc.

Homes and buildings Ag

Pt, Ag

Electrical distribution and switches, fuses, automation switchesWindows, insulation material

Compact disks Au, Ag An essential layer in recordable compact disks (CDR)

Computer hard disks Pt Thin layer in computer disks to increase the memory storage capacit

Jewellery and watches Au, Ag, Pt, RhAg

Rings, chains, pendants, etc.Silver oxide for button cell batteries

Mirrors Ag Silver backing provides reflective properties

Photographic supplies Ag Silver-based chemicals are required to produce light sensitive photographic film and paper

Glass and ceramictableware

Au, Pt Decorative patterns and finishes

in water – especially bacteria – are destroyed by physi-cal or chemical means. If standard water supply breaks down, or if facilities are not equipped with adequate water supply technology, water silvering can be used to prevent the spread of diseases.

Swimming PoolsA modern alternative to keeping swimming pool wa-ter clean by adding chemicals is to use chlorination by electrolysis. These devices use ruthenium and iridium coatings on their electrodes.

Silver, ruthenium and iridium are used in water cleaning devices

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It’s about the Future – TodayThe Precious Metals Industry is continuously developing new products and technologies to promote the efficient use of energy, improve human health and make personal mobility more convenient, safer and less harmful to the environment. Here are some of the exciting new applications that would not be possible without precious metals.

Creating energy generation alternativesThe European Precious Metals Industry is developing vital components of proton exchange membrane fuel cells, an energy generating device producing electricity from hydrogen and oxygen. These fuel cells produce no noxious emissions and can be considered as a “clean power” source. Fuel cells not only conserve natural energy resources such as oil and gas, they also truly improve energy efficiency. Fuel cells are already used in auxiliary power supplies for mobile homes, uninterruptible power supplies and battery chargers. In the near future, fuel cells could play a significant part in the development of zero emission vehicles. Restoring movementResearch in helping paraplegics walk again, or arm amputees to grip more naturally with their prosthe-ses, has brought forth microsensors that can be implanted in the brain to pick up brain commands – also known as nervous signals. These are then forwarded to a microchip probe, implanted in the hand or leg, which actually triggers real movement. The electrodes providing this neurostimulation are made of platinum.

Overcoming Parkinson’s diseaseNeurostimulation will soon be used to help patients suffering from Parkinson’s syndrome. A matchbox-sized stimulation device, implanted under the skin be-low the collarbone, generates mild electrical impulses which reduce the brain signals that trigger typical Par-kinson’s symptoms. An electrode, made of platinum and iridium, is positioned in deeper areas of the brain and is connected to the larger device.

Hearing for the profoundly deafPatients whose hearing is so impaired that it cannot be improved by conventional hearing aids may receive a

cochlear implant. This highly intricate device uses tiny platinum electrodes to sense movement of sensory hairs in the cochlear and translates these into mes-sages to the brain, creating artificial sound that the patient can “hear”

Shrinking electronic devicesFunctional materials containing nanosized particles of precious metals are helping in the manufacture ever smaller electronic components, which in turn are lead-ing to lighter, more functional devices requiring less energy consumption. Nanotechnology in the area of computers has already increased performance and memory capacity exponentially. In addition, the poten-tial use of nano-gold particles on smaller and smaller microchips opens up a new frontier: electronics on a molecular level.

Improving laser technologySingle crystals are an integral part of laser technol-ogy and crystal growth requires the highest levels of purity and thermal stability. By virtue of their high melting points and corrosion resistance, unalloyed platinum and especially iridium are highly suitable materials for growing different types of crystals.

Moving closer to maintenance-free carsPlatinum and iridium alloys are used as electrode tips in new generation long-life spark plugs ex-pected to last longer than the life of the vehicle. These electrode tips are highly resistant to corrosion, me-chanical deterioration and combustion and are entirely maintenance-free.

Building super-conductorsSilver will become increasingly sought after to help reduce the amount of electrical power wasted in electrical cables due to resistance losses. Resistance-

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free flow of electrical power, at close to ambient temperatures, can be achieved with multi-filament cables that contain super-conducting oxide material integrated into tiny silver tubes.

Burning fuel more efficientlyToday’s Boeing 747 burns two million tonnes of fuel in its lifetime, demonstrating an obvious need for

further improvement. The use of a ruthenium alloy in aircraft turbine blades allows the aircraft’s engines to operate at much higher temperatures while burn-ing fuel more efficiently.

Mercedes Benz’ latest round-the-world fuel cell cars, applying

platinum, palladium and iridium-based technology

European Precious Metals Federation

Avenue de Broqueville 12B-1150 BrusselsBELGIUMPhone + 32 2 775 63 86Fax + 32 2 779 05 23info@epmf.bewww.epmf.be

To find out more about the EPMF Members, events and activities, please visit our website

Photographies:The photographs in this brochure were made available by courtesy of the Member companies of the EPMF