Precious Metal Refinery
Metallix is an industry leading processor and buyer of material containing gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium and iridium. We’ve invested in the latest technology and equipment, and we’ve established a world class facility for precious metal recycling and analysis.
Our precious metal refinery is a 150,000 square-foot, ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015 certified facility that sits on 20 acres of land in Greenville, North Carolina.
The refinery is just one of our more recent developments. As a company, Metallix has evolved and grown significantly over the last 50 years, starting with our main locations in New Jersey and North Carolina, USA. We’ve gone on to expand our global reach with operations in South Korea and the UK. Our brand identity represents both our heritage and progressiveness within the industry, as we continue to pursue our commitment to innovation and excellent service.
MATERIAL REVIEW BOARD
Our internal review board assesses every consignment of precious metal bearing material which arrives at our facility. Analyzing the physical characteristics, volatility and safety data of each lot, the board draws up ideal atmospheric conditions designed to reduce the possibility of precious metal losses, whilst improving outcomes and ensuring tight controls.
- Profile sheets/SDS reviewed
- Material is inspected and reviewed
- The best and most efficient method of processing is determined
THERMAL REDUCTION
Burnable precious metal materials, such as resins, filters, jeweler’s sweeps, wipes, jars, catalysts and sludges, are extremely valuable but also very sensitive to losses during the thermal reduction process. Meticulous engineering and customization of the furnaces are critical to optimizing outcomes and precious metal values.
Our Thermal Reduction department offers unmatched expertise in addition to the most advanced equipment in the market.
The APR³ Furnace is exclusive to Metallix, proprietary by design for the processing of valuable ‘burnable’ precious metal bearing materials.
The APR³ operates using a continual feed process and controlled temperatures within an oxygen starved environment.
As material travels through the APR³, the furnace thermally reduces the organics surrounding the precious metal material through radiant heat. This results in a turbulence-free environment, reducing losses and preventing cross contamination.
Gases and some particulates rise into the Pollution Control System. These are processed through the afterburner and scrubber systems for neutralization and capture, cleansing the airstream before being released to the atmosphere.
MECHANICAL REDUCTION
Our mechanical reduction department uses the latest and most advanced processing equipment to achieve a uniform particle size for the evaluation of precious metal value.
We have the capability to accommodate volumes of precious metal bearing materials from a few pounds through to larger consignments totaling thousands of pounds.
MELT
Our melting furnaces range in capacity from just a few troy ounces up to 2,000 pounds. We purchase gold, silver, platinum group metals (PGMs) and copper-based materials, with precious metal content as low as 0.1 percent and as high as 99 percent.
WET CHEMICAL
Acid
In our high-grade refining department, we use specific acid formulations to dissolve, separate, precipitate and purify gold, silver and PGMs. We use glass lined tanks ranging in capacity from 50 to 750 gallons. This size range properly accommodates the wide variety and volume of precious metal bearing material that we purchase.
Our state-of-the-art scrubbers clean the gasses emitted during the refining process. Learn more about our commitment to Environmental Health and Safety.
Cyanide
We purchase precious metal bearing cyanide solutions containing gold and silver. The precious metal are recovered electrolytically onto metal cathodes or through precipitation.
LABORATORY ANALYSIS
The Metallix Refining laboratory and our team of highly experienced technicians are equipped to detect a wide range of precious metal in your material. The 4,000-square foot laboratory secures the company’s place among the nation’s top precious metal recycling companies, setting the stage for continued growth and matchless performance.
We can detect: palladium, rhodium, gold, silver, platinum, other elements
Analysis methods: fire assay, chemical analysis, X-ray, titration, gravimetric and ICP
NITRIC ACID INDUSTRY
Metallix have a team of site technicians dedicated to the nitric acid industry, specializing in plant clean down operations for the recovery of downstream precious metal catalyst from components within the heat train, reactors, heat exchangers through to the storage tanks. We recover and purchase platinum, palladium and rhodium from in-service and out-of-service equipment. This is achieved through non-destructive chemical cleaning, high pressure hydro blasting, tank cleaning and chemical washing of platinum filters, as well as destructive recovery and purchasing of contaminated out-of-service components.
Other industries served:
Our onsite operations team have a wealth of experience in performing maintenance cleaning operations for the recovery of precious metal used in industry and manufacturing. This includes electro-plating, jewelry manufacturing and more. We also clean and recover precious metal found in components such as ventilation and dust collection systems, as well as carpeting, flooring, walls and other areas that may collect precious metal particulate.
LEACHING DEPARTMENT
In 2020, Metallix commissioned a purpose-built facility for the dismantling and leaching of out-of-service components contaminated by precious metal catalyst during production.
This fully enclosed facility with automated systems uses proprietary methodology to safeguard precious metal losses, personnel and the environment.
All incoming materials are reviewed by our precious metal review board and dismantling team to maximize their value and document component loss data.
Precious metal residue is audited before being moved to our onsite Thermal Reduction Department for further processing
GLOBAL LOGISTICS
Our dedicated team of logistics and transportation experts will schedule your pickup according to your needs and availability. They will complete all required documents including land ban, hazardous waste and customs paperwork. They’ll also send you prefilled labels and placards and the necessary DOT approved shipping containers.
Our ability to safely transport your precious metal bearing material to our facilities goes beyond borders. We transport material from around the globe, including Central and South America, Europe and Asia. We partner with the world’s most reliable and secure logistics companies to quickly and efficiently transport material to our recycling facilities.
We understand that scheduling transportation of your precious metal bearing material to our recycling facilities is a task that takes precious time and resources away from your busy day. Contacting carriers, creating labels, generating manifests and understanding waste codes, can be a full-time job in itself. That’s why we take all the time and work away from you and allow you to focus on your job.
We also have a modern, state of the art fleet of Metallix owned and operated trucks, driven by our team of dedicated professionals. Our trucks transport material, including both hazardous and non-hazardous waste, to our facilities safely and securely.
CONTACT US TO DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS
When we work together, we can achieve more – today, tomorrow and in the future.
+1 – 800-327-7938
+1 – 732-945-4132