Stillwater’s Recycling Contributions

Stillwater has sourced and recycled growing volumes of spent catalytic converter materials since 1997. The Company entered into a long-term metal sourcing agreement in October 2003 with a major collector of auto catalysts. A majority of these materials come from spent automotive catalytic converters with the remainder coming from spent petroleum refining catalysts and manufacturing residues.

The spent ceramic material purchased by Stillwater is processed by the Company through the metallurgical complex in Columbus, Montana. A sampling facility crushes and samples the spent catalysts prior to their being blended with mine concentrate for processing and smelting in the electric furnace. The converter matte exits the smelting facility and is upgraded to a PGM-rich filter cake through the base metals refinery. Samples of the material are taken at various stages in the process and analyzed in Stillwater’s state-of-the-art laboratory.

Stillwater Mining Company plans to further expand its recycling activity by acquiring additional spent catalytic material. The recycling growth complements the mining operations base and operational diversification goals. A second smelting furnace is planned to increase both capacity and reliability of the processing operations and accommodate increased recycling activity. Recycling is an essential part of sustaining operations and protecting the environment, which is one more way that Stillwater
epitomizes the mining industry’s commitment to operating responsibly.