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This paper provides an overview of the various processes used in the recovery of platinum group metals (PGMs) from spent catalysts. PGM recovery is interesting due to their vast industrial applications and high market prices. From the use of renewable resources and environmental protection viewpoints, recycling of PGMs receives wide concerns as the amounts of spent catalyst increases dramatically. PGM recovery from spent catalysts is a challenge due to the fact that spent catalysts are diverse and complex in terms of material and component makeup as well as the original catalyst's manufacturing processes. The state of the art recovery of PGMs from spent catalysts by pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy techniques is highlighted and existing advantages and disadvantages of these techniques are analyzed in this paper. This review also pointed out that the promising processes of PGM recovery are economical, environmentally friendly and large-scale means. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]