Occurrence

In 2005, Russia was the top producer of palladium, with at least 50% world share, followed by South Africa, Canada and the U.S., reports the British Geological Survey.

Palladium may be found as a free metal alloyed with gold and other platinum group metals in placer deposits of the Ural Mountains, Australia, Ethiopia, South and North America. It is commercially produced from nickel-copper deposits found in South Africa, Ontario, and Siberia; It takes processing of many metric tons of ore to extract just one troy ounce of palladium. However, the mine production could still be profitable, depending on current metal prices, as other metals are produced together: nickel, copper, platinum and rhodium.

The world's largest single producer of palladium is MMC Norilsk Nickel produced from the Norilsk–Talnakh nickel deposits. The Merensky Reef of the Bushveld Igneous Complex of South Africa contains significant palladium in addition to other platinum group elements. The Stillwater igneous complex of Montana and the Roby zone orebody of the Lac des Îles igneous complex of Ontario also contain mineable palladium.

Palladium is also produced in nuclear fission reactors and can be extracted from spent nuclear fuel, see Synthesis of noble metals, though the quantity produced is insignificant.