Rhodium production primarily occurs as a byproduct of mining for platinum and palladium. The metal is extracted from ores found in regions like South Africa and Russia, where it is often present in small quantities. The extraction process involves crushing the ore, followed by various chemical treatments to separate rhodium from other metals. Once extracted, rhodium is refined to achieve high purity levels. It is then used in various applications, most notably in automotive catalysts to reduce harmful emissions from vehicles. Due to its rarity and high demand, rhodium is one of the most expensive precious metals in the world.