Palladium is a rare, silver-white transition metal that resembles platinum chemically. Compared to the platinum group, palladium is the least dense and has the lowest melting point. This metal can be found in dentistry, watch making, aircraft spark plugs and the production of surgical instruments and electrical contacts.
Palladium is one of the three most used metals when alloyed with gold produces white gold. This metal is found free and alloyed in placer deposits in the Ural Mountains, Australia, Ethiopia, South and North America. It is also commercially produced from nickel-copper deposits which are located in South Africa, Ontario and Siberia. The leading producer of palladium is MMC Norilsk Nickel, which is headquartered in Moscow.