Notes

Abstract

THE recent circular addressed to the dealers in platinum by the Director of Materials in the Ministry of Munitions requiring them to make a return of the whole of the stock of this metal, its ores and residues, on their premises, and forbidding any trading without a permit under a heavy penalty, will cause no surprise to those scientific men who are cognisant of the situation. Indeed, it is to be regretted that this step has not been taken before. It is most unfortunate that this rare, and for many purposes indispensable, meta) has been allowed to be used for jewelry and purely ornamental purposes. Either silver or gold is much better adapted to the production of attractive ornaments and is more beautiful than the greyish-white of platinum, while, of course, neither has the high melting point, electrical resistance, and chemical refractory qualities which make platinum so valuable a metal both in science and in the arts. The normal annual world's output of this metal is about 300,000 troy ounces. This figure dropped in 1914 to 250,000 ounces in consequence of the outbreak of war. Russia produces 95 per cent, of the world's total, chiefly from the Ural placers. The crude platinum contains from 70 to 90 per cent, of this metal, but it is invariably alloyed with iron in considerable proportions and with varying amounts of the other metals of the platinum group. Colombia produces about 10,000 ounces, while the total output of other countries does not exceed 2000 ounces. It is obtained in the United States Mint in the electrolytic refining of gold and silver, but only in amounts of about 200 ounces per annum. A small amount is also recovered from the mud resulting from the electrolytic refining of copper. Considerable interest was aroused by the recent announcement that platinum had been discovered in the Lower Rhine region of Germany. No statements as to its possible commercial exploitation have as yet been forthcoming.