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Iridium

Iridium is a rare, silvery-white transition metal belonging to the platinum-group metals (PGMs), which also include platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium and osmium. It is one of the densest and most corrosion-resistant elements known, with exceptional resistance to heat and chemical attack. Iridium is primarily produced as a by-product of platinum and nickel mining, with South Africa, Russia and Canada being the principal sources. The metal's extreme hardness and high melting point make it valuable in applications requiring durability under harsh conditions. Major uses include spark plugs for aircraft engines, crucibles for growing high-quality crystals, electrodes in chlor-alkali production and catalysts in various chemical processes. Iridium is also employed in the production of green hydrogen through proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers, where it serves as a critical catalyst material. The automotive sector uses iridium in spark plugs for internal combustion engines, though this application faces long-term headwinds from the transition to electric vehicles. Iridium's scarcity and concentrated supply chain have led to its classification as a critical mineral by several jurisdictions. Global annual production is measured in only a few tonnes, making iridium one of the rarest and most expensive precious metals. Recycling of iridium from spent catalysts and other industrial applications plays an important role in meeting demand.

Iridium News


Gold remains under pressure as Middle East tensions persist
Gold remains under pressure as Middle East tensions persist
12th October 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Precious metals and technology company Heraeus Precious Metals says gold has remained under pressure as continued tensions in the Middle East push oil prices higher. In its latest ‘Precious... 


World Platinum Investment Council Director of Research Edward Sterck.
Big boost for platinum, palladium as China exchange internationalises
25th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

From Monday, September 28, China will give international investors access to trading in palladium and platinum on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange (GFEX), where domestic exchange activity has been... 


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... 


Precious metals prices drop amid resurfacing Middle East tensions
Precious metals prices drop amid resurfacing Middle East tensions
13th July 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Following the latest hostilities in the US war with Iran, precious metals prices dropped across the board, with the gold price falling back below $4 100/oz and silver below $60/oz. In its latest... 


Resources Watch
Resources Watch
10th June 2026

This week: South Africa can become strong value-add minerals player again, PyroFuZA points out and, Platinum investment demand broadening to minor PGM metals 


SFA (Oxford) CEO Henk de Hoop.
Platinum investment demand broadening to minor PGM metals, SFA (Oxford) points out
3rd June 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The strong ongoing investment demand for platinum is broadening to the minor platinum group metals (PGMs) such as ruthenium and iridium, SFA (Oxford) CEO Henk de Hoop pointed out on Wednesday June... 


Platinum crucibles.
Platinum’s the gift that just keeps on giving as global value-chain prospects resurface
25th May 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Platinum‑based equipment is critical for producing large, flawless crystals for electronics and optics applications, says the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) in its 60 Seconds feature.... 


Middle East conflict, regionalisation of markets contribute to shift in PGM sourcing, trade
Middle East conflict, regionalisation of markets contribute to shift in PGM sourcing, trade
18th May 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

The risk of a protracted US-Iran conflict, the accelerating regionalisation of PGM markets, alongside the launch of platinum and palladium futures on China’s Guangzhou Futures Exchange, represents... 


An image of phones
Council highlights platinum’s role in producing crystals for electronics, optics
15th May 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Industry organisation the World Platinum Investment Council has highlighted the importance of platinum‑based equipment for producing large, flawless crystals for electronics and optics... 


Employees work in an underground PGM mine in South Africa
Platinum to remain in deficit this year, while palladium, rhodium may record surpluses – Johnson Matthey
14th May 2026 By: Chanel de Bruyn

Sustainable technologies group Johnson Matthey notes in its latest 'PGM Market Report' that platinum demand will exceed supply again this year on the back of firm industrial use and constrained... 


Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Richard Stewart
Heraeus, Sibanye-Stillwater target new uses for palladium in glass fibre production
1st May 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Precious metals and technology company Heraeus Precious Metals and mining and metals processing group Sibanye-Stillwater have partnered on a joint research and development project aimed at... 


Nel ASA CEO Håkon Volldal and Nel CFO Kjell Christian Bjørnsen.
Hydrogen enables energy storage way beyond batteries, Nel emphasises
22nd April 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Electrolytic hydrogen enables long-term energy storage way beyond what batteries can provide, which is exemplified by a 200 MW hydrogen plant in the United States having larger storage capacity... 


Gold remains a safe-haven investment – Heraeus
Gold remains a safe-haven investment – Heraeus
21st April 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Throughout history, gold has been seen as a safe-haven asset, although recent price movements have not been what might be expected, metals refinery services provider Heraeus says. In its latest... 


Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Richard Stewart
Heraeus, Sibanye-Stillwater partner on palladium-based glass fibre tech
16th April 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Precious metals and technology company Heraeus Precious Metals and mining and metals processing group Sibanye-Stillwater have partnered on a joint research and development project aimed at... 


Dmitry Izotov at PGMs Industry Day in Johannesburg.
More PGM potential for South Africa as Palladium Center returns with major new insight
10th April 2026 By: Martin Creamer

One sensed at last year's PGMs Industry Day that Nornickel’s Palladium Center would be back this year with many more growth opportunities for South Africa’s platinum group metals (PGMs). That... 


Northam CEO Paul Dunne talking tailings expansion.
China’s ‘encouraging’ hydrogen progress witnessed first-hand by Northam Platinum
2nd March 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The ‘encouraging’ recent developments of the hydrogen economy in China have been witnessed first-hand by South Africa’s platinum group metals (PGM) miner and marketer Northam Platinum. This was... 


Northam CEO Paul Dunne presenting half-year results.
Consensus is broadening that robust platinum pricing will continue, Northam reports
27th February 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The broadening market consensus is that supply and demand fundamentals will continue to support robust pricing for platinum, and this, together with Northam Platinum’s  growth profile, places the... 


Gold bars
Both gold, platinum prices consolidating in high ranges
23rd February 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Refinery services provider Heraeus says gold prices continue to show a consolidation trend following record prices late in December, which means prices are moving within a specific, range-bound... 


An image from Implats
Implats records strong interim performance
30th January 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

JSE-listed Impala Platinum (Implats) achieved a “commendable” performance for the sixth months ended December 31, the first half of the company’s 2026 financial year, with notable gains in the... 


Gold
Concerns over US Fed’s independence also keeping gold prices high
19th January 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Spot gold prices reached a high of $4 666/oz on January 19, compared with an average price of $4 590/oz last week, while silver hit a fresh intraday record of $93/oz on January 15, mostly owing to... 


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pqt: 0.069s - ct: 0.12s - 275pq - 2rq
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