Waste and scrap of precious metals; waste and scrap of precious metals including metal clad with precious metals, other than that of gold and platinum and excluding ash which contains precious metal or precious metal compounds

HS v2017 Code: 711299

About waste and scrap of precious metals; waste and scrap of precious metals including metal clad with precious metals, other than that of gold and platinum and excluding ash which contains precious metal or precious metal compounds

HS code 711299 covers a critical segment of the precious metals industry - the recycling and processing of waste and scrap containing precious metals. This industry plays a vital role in the circular economy, recovering valuable materials that would otherwise be lost, and reducing the environmental impact of mining new precious metals. The efficient management of this waste stream is essential for maintaining a sustainable supply of precious metals to support a wide range of industries, from jewelry and electronics to medical and industrial applications.

Production process

The main production techniques used in this industry involve the collection, sorting, and refining of precious metal waste and scrap. This typically begins with the gathering of materials from various sources, such as jewelry manufacturers, electronics recyclers, and industrial facilities. The collected items are then carefully sorted and processed to separate the precious metals from any non-valuable components. Advanced techniques like pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical refining are then employed to extract and purify the precious metals, ensuring they meet the required purity standards for reuse.

Production inputs

The primary inputs for this industry are the waste and scrap materials containing precious metals. This can include a wide range of items, such as jewelry, electronic components, dental amalgam, and industrial catalysts. In addition to the raw materials, the industry also requires specialized equipment and machinery for the collection, sorting, and refining processes, as well as skilled labor to operate these systems. Energy, chemicals, and other consumables are also necessary for the various refining and purification stages.

Production outputs

The main outputs of this industry are the recovered and refined precious metals, such as 711210 Silver, unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, or in powder form, 711230 Platinum, unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, or in powder form, and 711239 Precious metals, unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, or in powder form, excluding silver and platinum. These refined precious metals can then be used as inputs for a wide range of industries, including 711311 Jewelry and parts thereof, of silver, whether or not plated or clad with other precious metal, 851770 Parts of telephone sets, telephones, microphones and loudspeakers, and 902110 Orthopedic or fracture appliances, among others.

Revisions to 711299

Classification codes are adjusted frequently. The code may have been revised or replaced between system versions. The table below shows the history (newest to oldest) of the code 711299. The most recent 1 version of this code (711299) is in the HS v2022 system:

This page shows a legacy version of code 711299 ( HS v2017).

Older versions

Family tree for waste and scrap of precious metals; waste and scrap of precious metals including metal clad with precious metals, other than that of gold and platinum and excluding ash which contains precious metal or precious metal compounds

    graph LR
    A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/71'>71: Natural, cultured pearls; precious, semi-precious stones; precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin</a>"]
A --> B["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/7112'>7112: Waste and scrap of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal; other waste and scrap containing precious metal compounds, of a kind uses principally for the recovery of precious metal</a>"]
B --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/711299'>711299: Waste and scrap of precious metals; waste and scrap of precious metals including metal clad with precious metals, other than that of gold and platinum and excluding ash which contains precious metal or precious metal compounds</a>"]

    B --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/711230'>711230: Waste and scrap of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal; ash containing precious metal or precious metal compounds</a>"]
B --> E["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/711291'>711291: Waste and scrap of precious metals; of gold, including metal clad with gold but excluding sweepings containing other precious metals</a>"]
B --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/711292'>711292: Waste and scrap of precious metals; of platinum, including metal clad with platinum but excluding sweepings containing other precious metals</a>"]

    

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