Pt 53.299 Pd 41.414 Rh 276.496 Au 129.523 Ag 1.835

The PRIME Framework for Precious Metals Recycling

Picture of Ami Gur

Ami Gur

All Posts
Facebook Twitter Youtube Linkedin

The PRIME Framework for Precious Metals Recycling

Over the years, I developed a simple approach for evaluating precious metals recycling projects, which I call the PRIME Framework.

The purpose of the framework is to help companies maximize value recovery while reducing risk.

P – Potential

Start by understanding the opportunity.

  • How much precious metal does the company purchase annually?
  • What is the potential value of the waste streams?
  • Is there enough potential to justify further investigation?

Before investing time and resources, we need to understand the size of the opportunity.

R – Review the Process

Study the manufacturing process.

  • How is the product made?
  • Where are precious metals used?
  • Where can losses occur?

A plant tour often reveals opportunities that cannot be discovered in a meeting room.

I – Identify Waste Streams

Identify and challenge the collection process.

  • Are different materials properly separated?
  • Are valuable residues being overlooked?
  • Are there opportunities to improve collection?

Precious metals can be found in scrap, sweeps, sludge, filters, liquids, catalysts, defective products, and many other waste streams.

M – Measure and Evaluate

Characterize the material.

  • Sampling
  • Analysis
  • Precious metal content
  • Hazardous materials
  • Selection of the best recycling route

At this stage, we determine what the material actually contains and how it should be processed.

E – Evaluate Commercial Offers

Compare refining proposals professionally.

A quotation may include:

  • Lot charges
  • Treatment charges
  • Refining charges
  • Metal return
  • Assay fees
  • Lease charges
  • Shipping costs
  • Insurance costs

The goal is not simply to obtain the highest quotation, but to achieve the best overall recovery and the lowest risk.

The Key Message

The PRIME Framework transforms precious metals recycling from a simple scrap transaction into a structured value recovery process.

Potential → Review → Identify → Measure → Evaluate

This systematic approach helps companies recover more value, reduce losses, and make better recycling decisions.

How to Calculate the Theoretical Density of an Alloy – And Why It Matters

July 20, 2026 No Comments
By Ami Gur – A.G. Metals Ltd. One of the most common mistakes made when evaluating alloys is calculating density by simply averaging the densities of the constituent metals according to their weight percentages. Although this approach appears logical, it is incorrect. Understanding how to calculate the theoretical density of an alloy is a valuable skill for metallurgists, refiners, quality engineers, and anyone working with precious metals. When combined with XRF analysis, density measurement provides another practical tool for verifying alloy composition.

A Practical Example

Recently, while evaluating a silver-aluminum alloy, I noticed that the cast ingots appeared unusually light. The first question was simple: Does the measured density support the declared composition of 30 wt% Silver and 70 wt% Aluminum? Like many engineers, the first instinct is often to calculate: 30% × Silver density + 70% × Aluminum density This calculation gives a completely incorrect result because density is not a property that can be averaged by weight fraction.

The Correct Formula

For alloys where composition is expressed in weight percent, the theoretical density is calculated as: ρ = 1 / [(w₁ / ρ₁) + (w₂ / ρ₂) + …] Where:
  • ρ = theoretical alloy density
  • w = weight fraction of each element
  • ρ = density of each pure metal

Example

Silver density: 10.49 g/cm³ Aluminum density: 2.70 g/cm³ Composition:
  • 30 wt% Silver
  • 70 wt% Aluminum
Calculation: Density = 1 / [(0.30 / 10.49) + (0.70 / 2.70)] Theoretical density = approximately 3.47 g/cm³ Not 5.0 g/cm³ as obtained from the incorrect weighted-average calculation.

Why Is This Important?

Knowing the theoretical density allows you to:
  • Verify whether an alloy composition is reasonable.
  • Compare measured density with theoretical density.
  • Detect excessive casting porosity.
  • Identify possible contamination or incorrect alloying.
  • Support XRF and laboratory analytical results.
  • Improve quality control during production and refining.
Density alone does not identify every alloy, but it is an excellent verification tool when used together with chemical analysis.

Practical Considerations

Measured density is often slightly lower than the theoretical value because of:
  • Casting porosity
  • Shrinkage cavities
  • Oxide inclusions
  • Internal voids
  • Measurement uncertainty
For example, a measured density of 3.30 g/cm³ for a theoretical value of 3.47 g/cm³ may simply indicate a few percent porosity rather than an incorrect composition.

Final Thoughts

Even after more than 30 years working with precious metals and materials engineering, I still enjoy discovering—or rediscovering—fundamental engineering principles that have practical value in everyday work. A simple density calculation will never replace laboratory analysis, but it can provide an additional piece of evidence when evaluating an unknown alloy. Sometimes, the oldest engineering tools remain among the most useful. Real data. Real experience. No fluff.