Palladium production primarily occurs through mining and recycling. The metal is mainly extracted from platinum group metals (PGMs) found in ores, particularly in regions like South Africa and Russia. Mining involves crushing the ore and using various processes to separate palladium from other metals. Recycling is another significant source of palladium, often sourced from used catalytic converters in vehicles. These converters contain palladium, which can be recovered and refined for reuse. This method helps meet demand while reducing the environmental impact of mining.