Palladium

Uses: Palladium, a platinum-group metal, is mainly used in catalytic converters to reduce vehicle emissions. It’s also utilized in electronics, dental alloys, jewelry, and hydrogen purification due to its corrosion resistance and ability to absorb hydrogen.

Mining: Palladium is primarily mined in Russia, South Africa, and Canada, often as a byproduct of nickel or platinum mining. It is extracted from sulfide ore deposits through open-pit or underground mining, followed by crushing, flotation, smelting, and refining to separate palladium from other metals.