How is platinum formed in earth?

The heavy elements that make up the Earth, and us came from the explosion of white dwarfs and massive stars as supernovae. read more

Platinum wasn’t formed in or on the Earth. It was produced by nuclear fusion in a supernova explosion. This metal, gold, silicon, osmium and a bunch of other rare metals, were then incorporated into the gas cloud from which the Solar System was formed. read more

Platinum is found in its pure native form, or in platiniridium, a natural alloy of platinum and iridium. Platinum is present in thin sulfide layers in certain maficigneous bodies and is mined in Canada, Russia, South Africa, the USA, Zimbabwe and Australia. Some platinum is obtained as a by-product of copper and nickel processing. read more

Platinum occurs naturally, albeit in small quantities, in the Earth's crust at about 0.000037 parts per million. One of the rarest precious metals, the world's supply of platinum is obtained as a byproduct of nickel and copper mining and production, because platinum occurs in nickel and copper ores. read more