South Africa is the #1 producer of platinum in the world. Platinum mining in South Africa accounts for approximately 80% of the world’s platinum, and about 40% of the world’s gross palladium production.
 

Platinum Mining in South Africa – Key Facts:

• 89 platinum mining projects in South Africa
• 259 tons of platinum produced in 2018
• Generates ZAR 96 billion in revenue
• 28 operational PGM mines
• 31 projects in development
• 28 mining companies mining platinum in South Africa

Two vast mineral deposits in the north of South Africa, known as the Bushveld Igneous Complex, have supplied over 75% of the world’s platinum. The three largest ore bodies in this complex are the Merensky Reef, the UG2 Chromitite Reef and the Platreef.
 

Jump to:

• Importance of platinum in South Africa
• Where is platinum mined in South Africa?
• List of platinum mines in South Africa
• What are Platinum Group Metals (PGM)?
• Investing in South African platinum mines with Africa Mining IQ

Layers of chromitite and anorthosite in the Limpopo Province, part of the Bushveld Igneous Complex.

Importance of platinum mining in South Africa

Between 1980 and 2015, SA produced 221-million ounces of PGMs, valued at R1.2-trillion.

South Africa’s platinum reserves could enable the country to regain its position as the undisputed leading mining country in Africa. Platinum and other PGM metals could become the dominant feature of South African mining in the next century. These metals have the potential to add as much value to investment, exports and gross domestic product as the gold mining sector did in the twentieth century.

The new South African National Platinum Strategy plans to create of more than one-million jobs and a contribution of R8.2-trillion to South Africa’s economy by 2050.

Where is platinum mined in South Africa?

Platinum is mined across the Bushveld Igneous Complex, in northern South Africa. These deposits were discovered by geologist Hans Merensky in 1924.

Comprised of the Rustenburg Layered Suite, the Lebowa Granites and the Rooiberg Felsics, this large mineral body is estimated to hold over half of the world’s platinum reserves.

The geographic breakdown of platinum mines in each province is:

• Free State: 1 mine
• Gauteng: 4 mines
• Limpopo: 35 mines
• Mpumalanga: 13 mines
• Northwest: 31 mines

List of platinum mines in South Africa

What are Platinum Group Metals (PGMs)?

The Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) are six metals that are chemically, physically, and anatomically similar. The six metals naturally occur in the same ore bodies.

PGMs are highly recyclable and indispensable in many industrial and medical applications. According to the International Platinum Group Metals Association (IPA), one-quarter of all goods manufactured either contain a PGM or had a PGM play a key role in its production.

The six PGMs are:
 

• Iridium – the most corrosion-resistant pure metal, used in pacemakers and other medical implants
• Osmium – has poor resistance to oxidation, used as a stain for fingerprints and DNA testing
• Palladium – soft, silvery-white metal, used as a catalyst for the petroleum industry
• Platinum – dense, stable, and rare, widely used in medical and electronic devices, as well as jewellery
• Rhodium – has low electrical and contact resistance, used in the production of nitric acid
• Ruthenium – is a valuable alloy additive and catalyst, used in cleaning liquids, adhesives, and paints

Investing in SA Platinum Mines with Africa Mining IQ

Africa has the world’s largest and fastest growing minerals industry. New projects are starting all the time. Africa Mining IQ is Africa’s largest online database of mining project intelligence. We make connecting with mining projects easy.

Each project is tracked, analysed and monitored for the duration of its development, from grassroots and pre-feasibility to fully operational and right through to closure.

If you’re looking for new opportunities in the South Africa platinum mining industry, AMIQ provides the intelligence you need to invest in mining projects in South Africa.

We track 18 on-hold PGM projects and 18 projects that have relinquished their licence – making it easy for you to invest. This means that there are at least 36 investment or business opportunities, and that is without taking into consideration all the peripheral activities and services required for each project.

We help companies grow their business by giving them the most in-depth, up-to-the-minute intelligence on South Africa’s mining projects, including key contact details for Mine Owners and Project Engineers/EPCs, companies can successfully target new projects early in their specification.

Our database also contains key contact information and project update and analysis for leading mining companies in Gauteng, including: Anglo American, Amplats, Impala Platinum Holdings Limited, Sibanye-Stillwater, Lonmin Plc and Rustenburg Platinum Mines.

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