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Fuel Cells

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy from a fuel, typically hydrogen, directly into electrical energy through a reaction with oxygen or another oxidising agent. Unlike batteries, which store energy, fuel cells generate electricity continuously as long as fuel is supplied. The technology operates without combustion, producing water and heat as the primary by-products when hydrogen is used, making it a clean energy solution. Fuel cells are used across a range of applications, including stationary power generation, backup power systems, portable electronics and transportation, particularly in electric vehicles and buses. The automotive sector has seen growing interest in fuel-cell electric vehicles as an alternative to battery-electric vehicles, especially for heavy-duty and long-range applications. Platinum-group metals, particularly platinum and palladium, are critical components in most fuel-cell designs, serving as catalysts to facilitate the electrochemical reactions. South Africa's significant platinum reserves position the country as a key supplier of materials essential to fuel-cell manufacturing. The technology is regarded as a cornerstone of the energy transition, offering a pathway to decarbonise sectors where electrification through batteries alone is challenging. Fuel cells have been deployed in industrial, commercial and residential settings, and their adoption is supported by policy frameworks promoting hydrogen economies and renewable energy integration. Ongoing research focuses on reducing costs, improving durability and decreasing reliance on scarce platinum-group metals.

Fuel Cells News


2026 MISTRA Annual Platinum Group Metals (PGM) Roundtable
MISTRA roundtable to explore practical steps for South Africa’s PGM-powered hydrogen economy
13th October 2026

South Africa has ambitious strategies for green hydrogen, critical minerals and beneficiation. The challenge now is translating these into investment, industrial development and jobs. The... 


Photo of Martin Creamer
Drone upliftment, manganese through Namibia, Sibanye-Stillwater trading on the A2X make headlines
2nd October 2026

Mining Weekly Editor Martin Creamer discusses the catalytic properties of platinum and palladium being researched and developed as a potential source of significant upliftment for drones; the 828... 


Magazine Cover Image
Outlook for platinum buoyed by new industrial applications as investment demand weakens
25th September 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

While total demand for platinum is forecast to decrease this year, there are industries that stakeholders can leverage and strengthen, while market fundamentals still support the metal as a... 


Kal Tire's Tracy Cobb and John Martin being interviewed at Electra Mining Africa by Mining Weekly's Martin Creamer.
AI helping reduce mining-tyre downtime by up to 20%, Electra Mining Africa showcases
25th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Demonstrated to Mining Weekly at this week’s Electra Mining Africa exhibition in Johannesburg were AI-enabled solutions that are taking mining tyre performance to the next level by lowering... 


Hydrogen Council Co-Chair François Jackow.
Scale up hydrogen, global council urges amid growing energy security concerns
18th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The global Hydrogen Council is urging the world to scale up its hydrogen energy ecosystem at pace, which coincided with green hydrogen being declared integral to a new South African industrial... 


Valterra Platinum executive head: marketing Hilton Ingram.
Six-million-ounce platinum demand opportunity from hydrogen truck fleets
18th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

If a 20% global truck fleet share can be secured at current or near current platinum loading, there is a six-million-ounce platinum opportunity from a demand perspective, according to Valterra... 


Green Hydrogen Deal Book
South Africa’s green hydrogen advances being afforded twin momentum
16th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

In addition to providing innovative support for green hydrogen first movers, South Africa has now also tracked advances in this country's green hydrogen space in a publication that reflects... 


Top Ivana Jemelkova and Zhao Dong, below Boudewijn Siemons and Jaehoon Chang.
Hydrogen investment hits $130bn-plus mark on energy security, resilience rise
10th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Committed investment in clean hydrogen has hit the $130-billion-plus mark, driven by global energy security and resilience issues, with 90% of the 570 clean hydrogen projects already under... 


Photo of Martin Creamer
On-The-Air (04/09/2026)
4th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Martin Creamer talks about Sibanye-Stillwater, hydrogen truck fleet opportunity and Northam Platinum. 


SCI symposium papers reflect 'depth and diversity'.
South Africa’s minerals future to be explored by emerging researchers on October 2
4th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

At a time when calls are being made for South Africa to modernise its mining sector, emerging researchers will on October 2 have a next-generation platform to explore the future of the minerals... 


Valterra Platinum executive head: marketing Hilton Ingram.
Six-million-ounce platinum demand opportunity from hydrogen truck fleets
1st September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

If a 20% global truck fleet share can be secured at current or near current platinum loading, there is a six-million-ounce platinum opportunity from a demand perspective, according to Valterra... 


Palladium.
Palladium demand support may emerge from zero-emission review, Heraeus reports
24th August 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The UK’s review of its zero-emission vehicle mandate could provide some support to automotive palladium demand if manufacturers are given greater flexibility over the pace of battery electric... 


Valterra Platinum CEO Craig Miller.
AI helping to develop alloys for use in new applications, Valterra Platinum reports
21st August 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Can you use AI to find new markets for platinum group metals (PGMs)? “The simple answer is yes,” was the reply of Valterra Platinum CEO Craig Miller to Mining Weekly during the latest media... 


SCI symposium papers reflect 'depth and diversity'.
South Africa’s minerals future to be explored by emerging researchers on Oct 2
17th August 2026 By: Martin Creamer

At a time when calls are being made for South Africa to modernise its mining sector, emerging researchers will on October 2 have a next-generation platform to explore the future of the minerals... 


Photo of Martin Creamer
Local development of value adding technology should be given more encouragement
14th August 2026 By: Martin Creamer

New South African smelting technology that uses 70% less electricity has reached the commercialisation phase. Domestically advanced ultra-high-dense-media-separation processing is poised to... 


An image of the inside of a battery storage container
Storage can complement hydrogen solutions
14th August 2026 By: Nadine Ramdass

As hydrogen energy and fuel cells attract significant policy and investment attention across Southern Africa, battery storage systems play a complementary role, demonstrating the need to accelerate... 


Valterra Platinum CEO Craig Miller.
Valterra Platinum remains ‘highly confident’ in ‘robust outlook’ for PGM demand
14th August 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed platinum group metals (PGM) mining and marketing company Valterra Platinum is actively supporting long-term PGM demand growth through strategic industry... 


Valterra Platinum CEO Craig Miller.
AI helping to develop alloys for use in new applications, Valterra Platinum reports
3rd August 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Can you use AI to find new markets for platinum group metals (PGMs)? “The simple answer is yes,” was the reply of Valterra Platinum CEO Craig Miller to Mining Weekly during the latest media... 


Valterra Platinum CEO Craig Miller.
Valterra Platinum remains ‘highly confident’ in ‘robust outlook’ for PGM demand
29th July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed platinum group metals (PGM) mining and marketing company Valterra Platinum is actively supporting long-term PGM demand growth through strategic industry... 


An image of fine scandium
Australian Mines fast-tracks, expands Flemington PFS
27th July 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

ASX-listed Australian Mines says the prefeasibility study (PFS) for its high-grade Flemington scandium project in Australia will be fast-tracked and expanded, to include studies assessing the... 


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