Silver recovery services
StoneX Metals Ltd is one of the leading silver recovery companies in the UK, a recycler, processor and refiner specializing in silver recovery and the refining and trace amounts of other precious metals.
Sustainable & efficient silver recovery solutions
At StoneX Metals Ltd, we specialize in the economic, efficient recovery and purification of silver from a variety of industrial waste streams, ensuring maximum yield with minimal environmental impact.
Recovery materials
Our advanced silver recovery processes allow us to recover silver in various forms including:
Our silver recovery process
Our recovery process is based on a traditional pyrometallurgical smelting operation. Combustible materials are incinerated in controlled conditions to produce an ash. This ash is mixed with other silver bearing materials including Sweeps, Sludges and Residues. The resultant mix is combined with lead and fluxes and charged into a shaft furnace. The reaction and combination of the charge produces a lead/silver alloy which is refined further in the cupellation furnace, resulting in a 98%+ silver cupellation bar.
Fire Assaying
The term “fire assay” describes a quantitative procedure in which a fusion is used to separate the precious metals from a known amount of sample. This method is the standard for determining gold and silver in ores, concentrates, and a variety of metal alloys:
- A sample is weighed into a crucible and blended with a mixture of dry lead-based chemicals.
- The crucible is heated in a 1000°C furnace where the precious metals are separated from the non-precious metal contaminants which are carried off into the slag.
- The precious metals lead mix is heated to 950°C in a cupel. The lead oxidizes, which separates itself from the precious metals. A precious metal ‘dore’ bead is produced.
- The bead is weighed, Nitric acid is added to it which dissolves the silver but does not affect gold. The difference in the before and after weight is the weight of the silver.
The laboratory can also analyse Platinum Group Metals using nickel collection. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP OES) can also be used to measure PGMs in a solution.
Recovery Schematic
StoneX’s silver recovery process is based on a traditional pyrometallurgical smelting operation.
The environment
We have a responsibility to monitor and manage our environmental performance to a high standard, for the benefit of our customers, employees and the wider community. We take this responsibility very seriously and seek to ensure satisfactory performance by our own internal monitoring program, and by welcoming Environment Agency and customer audits.
The Environment Agency issues an Environmental Permit to which we must adhere in order to manage any associated environmental impacts. To ensure compliance, we monitor our environmental performance internally via our Environmental Management System, and through Environment Agency audits. We are also accredited with ISO 14001:2015, which is internationally recognized standard for measuring your EMS.
View our environmental permit, 14001 Certificate, Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Pre-Consent authorization, Waste Registration Document and other safety and regulation documents here.
Site environmental controls
- Documented Environmental Policy, Operating Procedures & Emergency Response and Business Continuity Plans
- Secure site bounded by perimeter walls and drainage channels
- Surface water collection and recirculation system
- Abatement plant for process emissions with continuous monitoring of particulates and periodic monitoring of stack emissions
- Energy monitoring
- Full traceability of all incoming and outgoing waste transfers
Press release
'StoneX completes acquisition of JBR Recovery’s recycling and refining business, to deepen the company’s end-to-end metals offering'
StoneX Metals Limited Recovery location
For detailed instructions to our location, please click below.
Precious metals Market Intelligence
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Wed, May 14, 2025 at 11:17 AM UTC
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FAQs
How does StoneX’s recovery process work, and what technologies or proprietary methods are used?
Our recovery process is based on a traditional pyrometallurgical smelting operation: incineration, smelting and cupellation
Which types of silver scrap or ore materials are eligible for recovery under your program?
Manufacturing processes and materials arising from partial refiners are our key sources of input material for treatment and refining. The materials received contain up to 80% silver and may contain trace amounts of gold and other precious metals, and include wet residues; dry residues, powders or ashes; metallics; and materials requiring incineration or as a primary operation.
How does StoneX determine the silver content of customer materials?
Sampling is a key element of our silver recovery process. Our fully equipped and versatile sampling department prepares and samples all incoming customer materials. Silver contents are determined for each consignment of material received. The sampling can be witnessed.
What regulatory and environmental standards does StoneX adhere to during precious metals recovery?
As an incinerator and non-ferrous works, handling lead as well as silver, gold and other precious metals, we have a responsibility to monitor and manage our environmental performance to a high standard, for the benefit of our customers, employees and the wider community. The Environment Agency issues StoneX an Environmental Permit that documents the processes we are authorized to run and the operating conditions we must adhere to in order to control the associated environmental impacts. We take this responsibility very seriously and seek to ensure satisfactory performance by our own internal monitoring program, and by welcoming Environment Agency and customer audits.
StoneX: We open markets
Our market expertise, advanced platforms, global reach, culture of full transparency and commitment to our clients’ success all set us apart in the financial marketplace.
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ReachWith access to 40+ derivatives exchanges, 180+ foreign exchange markets, nearly every global securities marketplace and numerous bi-lateral liquidity venues, StoneX’s digital network and deep relationships can take clients anywhere they want to go.
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TransparencyAs a publicly traded company meeting the highest standards of regulatory compliance in the markets we serve; our financials and record of accomplishment are matters of public record. StoneX’s commitment to “doing the right thing over the easy thing” sets us apart in the industry and helps us build respect, client trust and new partnerships.
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ExpertiseFrom our proprietary Market Intelligence platform, to “boots on the ground” expertise from award-winning traders and professionals, we connect our clients directly to actionable insights they can use to make more informed decisions and achieve their goals in the global markets.
© 2025 StoneX Group Inc.
All rights reserved. StoneX Metals Limited (“SML”) is part of the StoneX Group. SML is registered in England and Wales with company number 15492387. SML is a processor of materials containing silver, gold and PGMs. The information on this website is not advice nor a recommendation to trade nor an offer to buy or sell any financial product or service. It does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs and does not create a binding obligation on any of the StoneX Group of companies to enter into any transaction with you. You should perform an independent investigation of any transaction to determine whether it is suitable for you. The information is provided on an ‘as-is’ basis and may contain statements and opinions of the StoneX Group as well as excerpts and/or information from public sources and third parties and no warranty, whether express or implied, is given as to its completeness or accuracy. SML (on its own behalf and on behalf of its directors, employees and agents) disclaims any and all liability as well as any third-party claim that may arise from the accuracy and/or completeness of the information detailed herein, as well as the use of or reliance on this information by you or any third party.