A considerable amount of new information on the geochemistry and mineralogy of the platinum group elements has been presented in numerous articles published over the last ten to fifteen years. Now the first comprehensive reference source has been produced, based on data compiled up to 1981.

The essential aspects of thermodynamics and inorganic chemistry, and their relevance to an understanding of the geochemistry of the platinum group elements is given. A collection of information on the phase relationships of the platinum metals with those elements which are considered to be mineralogically significant, and their importance in acting as geochemical collectors are exemplified and discussed. Dr. Cabri has carried out an exacting task in identifying, characterising and collating nearly one hundred minerals, and he includes a critical assessment of the base metal minerals which are reported to contain minor quantities of platinum group elements. Of equal relevance to the platinum producers are the chapters devoted to sample preparation and analytical techniques.

The relative importance of the different types of ore, with respect to platinum group element production and resources, are discussed in some detail. The largest and most important deposits occur in the Bushveld Complex of Southern Africa. These consist of the Merensky Reef, the UG2 chromitite layer and the Platreef, which together are estimated to contain total platinum group element resources of some 60 × 10⁶kg—sufficient to satisfy foreseeable needs for many years to come. Most of the current production comes from the Merensky Reef, where the platinum group metals are the major product. Despite the large variation in the mineralogy of the Reef the platinum : palladium ratio is consistent at 2.5, while mine head grades for total platinum group elements are 6 to 8 grams per tonne. The other major deposits are the Noril’sk-Talnakh combine in Siberia, U.S.S.R., and the Sudbury district of Canada. In both cases the platinum group elements are by-products from the copper-nickel sulphide mines and have much lower platinum : palladium ratios; at Noril’sk it is 0.4. Most of the information on the recovery of the platinum metals is concerned with beneficiation techniques and their relationship to the mineralogy of different ores.

Inevitably in a book of this nature there is some duplication of material, however the index is sufficiently detailed to enable readers with differing interests to locate appropriate information. References are given at the end of each chapter.

In addition to providing an excellent and much needed compilation of data on the geochemistry and mineralogy of the platinum group elements, which will be a definitive work for years to come, the volume also demonstrates that there is still considerable debate on the genetic relationships of the platinum group elements, and it helps to define areas for future research.