subject: Why Use Precious Metal Refiners? [print this page] Precious metal refiners separate valuable metals such as silver and gold from scrap metal. Many electrical devices such as computers are made with precious metals. When the components no longer function, they can be broken down and the precious metals can be recovered.
There are many companies that perform this service and some have been in business for decades. As one can imagine, this can be an arduous process that calls for patience and expertise. Some companies do actual refining in their plant while some companies only act as a broker and will send the scrap metal to a refinery.
The company with its own refinery will most likely be open for tours of their plant. They want their customers to know what happens to the scrap metal they send in for refining. Many customers will have ongoing need for a refining service and want to see the process first hand.
A customer might be very knowledgeable with the refinement process and wants to make sure that the company is employing workers who know all there is to know about the refinement process. They might plan to send several hundred pounds a month to a refinement center and need to know that they can rely on a particular refinement company.
Those who are working with a metal refining company need to make sure the company is complying with local, state, and also federal environment regulations. Refining of precious metals involves chemicals determined to be a hazard to the environment and to human health. There are many stringent rules regarding waste disposal that a refining company must adhere to. If they are in violation they will be held responsible, and in some areas, the customer who provided the metal will also face liability.
Some refiners are licensed to return the precious metals, extracted from the scarp metal, in usable form such as coins or in silver ingots. This eliminates the extra step of having to take the extracted valuable metal to a separate dealer. Some find this to be a cost savings advantage.
Some companies employ a full time metallurgist on their site in order to make an accurate assessment regarding the precious metal content of each job. Some companies have in addition, an external lab in order to check the final refinement to ensure accuracy.
Precious metal refining companies have to adhere to the local, the state, and the federal laws in place to protect the consumer. When a company handles precious metals, there are a lot of eyes on its business.
