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Platinum Group Metals

Platinum group metals (PGMs) are a family of six metallic elements clustered together in the periodic table, comprising platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium. These metals share similar physical and chemical properties, including high melting points, exceptional resistance to corrosion and oxidation, and catalytic capabilities that make them indispensable in industrial applications. PGMs are among the rarest elements in the Earth's crust, with global production concentrated in a handful of regions, most notably South Africa's Bushveld Complex, which holds approximately 75% of the world's known reserves, and Russia's Norilsk-Talnakh deposits. The automotive sector accounts for the largest share of PGM demand, where platinum, palladium and rhodium are essential components of catalytic converters that reduce harmful emissions from internal combustion engines. Beyond automotive applications, PGMs are critical in petroleum refining, chemical manufacturing, electronics, medical devices, jewellery and hydrogen fuel cell technology. Platinum and palladium are also traded as investment commodities on major exchanges, with prices subject to significant volatility driven by supply constraints, automotive demand cycles and shifts in environmental regulation. The mining and processing of PGMs is capital-intensive and technically complex, typically involving deep underground operations and energy-intensive smelting and refining processes. South Africa's dominance in PGM production has made the sector a cornerstone of the country's mining economy, though operational challenges including labour unrest, electricity supply constraints and declining ore grades have periodically disrupted output. The transition to electric vehicles poses both risks and opportunities for the PGM industry, potentially reducing autocatalyst demand while opening new markets in hydrogen fuel cells and battery technologies. Recycling of PGMs from spent catalytic converters and electronic waste has become an increasingly important secondary source of supply, helping to mitigate supply risks and reduce environmental impact.

Platinum Group Metals News


Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Dr Richard Stewart
Sibanye-Stillwater reports higher third-quarter earnings
Updated 3 hours ago By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Multinational metals and mining company Sibanye-Stillwater has reported a quarterly improvement in operating performance across its South African platinum group metals (PGM) and gold operations.... 


Merafe ferrochrome smelting.
Merafe ferrochrome hits 61 000 t year-to-date mark as smelter ramp-up proceeds
3rd November 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Merafe’s attributable ferrochrome production from the Glencore Merafe Chrome Venture of 61 000 t was 46% down in the nine months ended September 30 compared... 


Tycho Möncks
Turning recycling into ‘mine’ is spelt out in BCG's critical minerals study
2nd November 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Orchestrating product flows so that end-of-life material gets reused is the kind of circularity that turns a company’s installed base into a captive ‘mine’ that generates repeatable value over... 


Minerals Council Senior Executive: Environment, Health, Legacies and Employment Relations Shamini Harrington.
Climate action and growth need to reinforce each other, Minerals Council event hears
30th October 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Climate considerations are increasingly shaping how business is done, Minerals Council South Africa senior climate specialist Shalendra Subramoney said on Friday, October 30, in launching the... 


Sylvania CEO Jaco Prinsloo
Sylvania reports record quarterly PGM output, improved chrome production
30th October 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed Sylvania Platinum’s Sylvania Dump Operations (SDO) and Thaba Joint Venture (JV) delivered combined record production of 25 971 oz of platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold (4E) platinum... 


mpala Platinum Rustenburg 16 Shaft.
Customers reaffirm increased 2027 demand for Implats’ products
29th October 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Annual contractual negotiations with core customers has reaffirmed increased 2027 demand for the sustainable and responsible supply of all the precious and base metal products of Implats, CEO Nico... 


2026 MISTRA Annual Platinum Group Metals (PGM) Roundtable
MISTRA roundtable to explore practical steps for South Africa’s PGM-powered hydrogen economy
29th 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... 


Multotec expands its fine screening toolbox with new High Frequency Panel technology
Multotec expands its fine screening toolbox with new High Frequency Panel technology
28th October 2026

As mining operations process increasingly fine and clay-rich ores, maintaining reliable screening performance is becoming more challenging. Conventional fine screening media can be prone to... 


Valterra processing.
Iridium, ruthenium continue to outperform, Valterra Platinum reports
23rd October 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Minor platinum group metals (PGMs), particularly iridium and ruthenium, are continuing to outperform, supported by robust demand from emerging technology applications, Valterra Platinum reported on... 


Kearney South Africa Energy Partner Frances Phillips.
Green iron-ore is a great South African export opportunity, Joburg Indaba hears
23rd October 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Making green iron-ore for exportation is a great opportunity, South Africa’s Joburg Indaba heard on Thursday, October 8, when Kearney South Africa energy partner Frances Phillips drew attention to... 


Minerals Council South Africa CEO Mzila Mthenjane
Strong commodity prices in 2025 ensure modest growth backing for SA mining – Minerals Council
16th October 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

While the South African mining sector continues to navigate a period of profound international and domestic change, this year has reinforced both the resilience of the sector and the importance of... 


IMPROVING RESULTS, STEMMING IMPACTS
Varistem stemming plug can be deployed for productivity gains, on-the-bench procedural improvements and to reduce flyrock, airblast, noise and vibration, or a combination of these impacts
Environmental impacts reduced by using stemming plugs
16th October 2026 By: Donna Slater

The energy efficiency of the blasting process can be improved by using Varistem stemming plugs from Midrand-based mining consumables supplier ERG Industrial. For mining operations and blasting... 


On-The-Air (09/10/2026)
On-The-Air (09/10/2026)
9th October 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Martin Creamer talks about green iron-ore; diamds that flow down our rivers and the urgent need to combat climate change. 


Valterra Platinum Executive Head: Processing Operations Agit Singh.
Jameson cells saving Valterra Platinum R203m, keeping 3 000 trucks off road
9th October 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Reduction of 3 000-equivalent trucks on the road, a 70.5 MWh decrease in smelting electricity consumption, a 70 000 t cut in smelting CO2 emissions, and a R203-million annual cost saving, which... 


Kearney South Africa Energy Partner Frances Phillips.
Green iron-ore is a great South African export opportunity, Joburg Indaba hears
8th October 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Making green iron-ore for exportation is a great opportunity, South Africa’s Joburg Indaba heard on Thursday, October 8, when Kearney South Africa energy partner Frances Phillips drew attention to... 


Photo of Martin Creamer
On-The-Air (02/10/2026)
2nd October 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Martin Creamer talks about drone upliftment, manganese through Namibia and Sibanye-Stillwater trading on the A2X  


Ramokgopa unveils first six projects to emerge from national green hydrogen programme
2nd October 2026 By: Irma Venter

The first six priority projects have emerged from government’s national green hydrogen programme pipeline. The projects all form part of the newly launched National Green Hydrogen Deal Book, which... 


Valterra Platinum Executive Head Mining Operations Willie Theron.
Exciting Mogalakwena mine has 300-year-plus resource life, says PGMs major Valterra Platinum
2nd October 2026 By: Martin Creamer

There is no argument that the Mogalakwena platinum group metals (PGM) mine in South Africa’s Limpopo province is “definitely” the PGM mining industry's most exciting endowment, Valterra Platinum... 


Mining Indaba logo
Africa's greatest mineral asset isn't underground
1st October 2026

The global race for critical minerals is entering a new phase. No longer defined solely by access to mineral reserves, it is increasingly being shaped by industrial policy, geopolitical... 


Tharisa founder Loucas Pouroulis
Tharisa appoints new chair, as Loucas Pouroulis becomes founding chairperson emeritus
30th September 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Loucas Pouroulis, the founder of Johannesburg- and London-listed mining and metals group Tharisa will, from October 1, become founding chairperson emeritus of the company, while Carol Bell will... 


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pqt: 0.027s - ct: 0.071s - 105pq - 2rq
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