Rhodium

Uses: Rhodium, a rare and valuable platinum-group metal, is primarily used in catalytic converters for vehicles to reduce emissions. Its exceptional corrosion resistance and high reflectivity make it ideal for plating jewelry, mirrors, and electrical contacts. It’s also used in chemical catalysts and high-temperature alloys.
Mining: Rhodium is typically mined as a byproduct of platinum or nickel mining, found in small quantities in sulfide ore deposits. Major sources include South Africa, Russia, and Canada. The process involves open-pit or underground mining, followed by crushing, flotation, smelting, and refining to extract rhodium from complex ores.