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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


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... 


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... 


Top Ivana Jemelkova and Zhao Dong, below Boudewijn Siemons and Jaehoon Chang.
Hydrogen investment hits $130bn-plus mark on energy security, resilience rise
25th 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... 


ARM founder and chairperson Patrice Motsepe.
ARM’s Motsepe emphasises importance of honesty, integrity, governance, meritocracy
25th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The founder and chairperson of diversified mining company African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) on Friday, September emphasised the importance of companies behaving in a manner that reflects integrity,... 


Valterra Platinum Executive Head: Processing Operations Agit Singh.
Jameson cells saving Valterra Platinum R203m, keeping 3 000 trucks off road
23rd September 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... 


Image of Zimbabwe flag and periodic table symbols for platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold
Karo platinum project, Zimbabwe – update
18th September 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Tharisa has completed three critical steps underpinning the development of Karo. 


Mount Lyell copper/gold/silver project in Tasmania.
Two new projects secure Sibanye-Stillwater approval
18th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Burnstone gold project in South Africa and Mount Lyell copper/gold/silver project in Tasmania, both considerably infrastructured with near-term revival outlooks, have been approved by Johannesburg... 


Valterra Platinum Executive Head Mining Operations Willie Theron.
Exciting Mogalakwena mine has 300-year-plus resource life, Valterra Platinum highlights
16th September 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... 


Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
Ramokgopa unveils first six projects to emerge from national green hydrogen programme
15th September 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... 


An image of the Mooinooi plant
Sylvania launches share buyback following record full-year performance
15th September 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Aim-listed Sylvania Platinum achieved record production of 95 885 oz of platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold (4E) platinum group metals (PGMs) from its Sylvania Dump Operations (SDO) and the Thaba... 


Neo Energy Metals CFO Elmarié Maritz
Neo Energy Metals appoints new CFO, Westerman takes up new role
10th September 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

LSE- and A2X Markets-listed Neo Energy Metals has appointed Elmarié Maritz CFO, taking over from Martin Westerman who served as acting CFO from June and moves to the newly created role of group... 


Refraline Group services manager Jacques Krog spoke to Engineering News & Mining Weekly during the Electra Mining Africa event, held in Johannesburg from 7 to 11 September 2026.
Refraline Group has been engineering reliability since 1981
9th September 2026

Established in 1981, the Refraline Group has grown into one of Southern Africa’s leading providers of refractory, corrosion and pyrometallurgical engineering solutions. The company offers an... 


Sibanye-Stillwater's Rustenburg PGM operation
Sibanye-Stillwater proposes restructure of South African PGM shaft; 1 114 jobs on the line
8th September 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Global mining and metals processing group Sibanye-Stillwater will start consultations with organised labour and non-unionised employees regarding the proposed restructuring of the Kwezi shaft – an... 


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pqt: 0.135s - ct: 0.19s - 275pq - 2rq
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