Platinum
Platinum is a dense, silvery-white precious metal with the chemical symbol Pt and atomic number 78. It belongs to the platinum-group metals (PGMs), which also include palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium. Platinum is highly resistant to corrosion and heat, making it valuable for industrial applications as well as investment and jewellery. The metal is primarily used in autocatalysts for vehicle emissions control systems, accounting for a significant share of global demand. Other major applications include jewellery manufacturing, particularly in Asia, and industrial uses such as petroleum refining, electronics, medical devices and glass production. Platinum is also traded as a commodity on global markets, with prices influenced by supply constraints, automotive demand, investment flows and broader economic conditions. The metal is rarer than gold and is mined predominantly in South Africa and Russia, with smaller production from Zimbabwe, Canada and the United States. Platinum's dual role as both an industrial metal and a store of value means its price can be volatile, responding to shifts in automotive production, environmental regulation, currency movements and geopolitical risk. Investors access platinum through physical bullion, exchange-traded funds and futures contracts.
Platinum Updates
Scale up hydrogen, global council urges amid growing energy security concerns 
By: Martin Creamer 18th September 2026 The global Hydrogen Council is urging the world to scale up its hydrogen energy ecosystem at pace, which coincided with green hydrogen being... →
Africa's greatest mineral asset isn't underground
17th September 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... →
South Africa’s green hydrogen advances being afforded twin momentum
By: Martin Creamer 16th September 2026 In addition to providing innovative support for green hydrogen first movers, South Africa has now also tracked advances in this country's green... →
Hydrogen investment hits $130bn-plus mark on energy security, resilience rise
By: Martin Creamer 10th September 2026 Committed investment in clean hydrogen has hit the $130-billion-plus mark, driven by global energy security and resilience issues, with 90% of the... →
Daily Podcast – September 08, 2026
8th September 2026 September 08, 2026. For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is Polity’s daily podcast. →
Manufacturing, mining weigh on second-quarter economic growth; GDP contracts by 0.2% q/q
By: Creamer Media Reporter 8th September 2026 South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 0.2% quarter-on-quarter for the second quarter, following growth of 0.4% in the first... →
ARM’s Motsepe emphasises importance of honesty, integrity, governance, meritocracy
By: Martin Creamer 4th September 2026 The founder and chairperson of diversified mining company African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) on Friday, September emphasised the importance of... →
Implats generates R22bn free cash, returns R17bn to shareholders
By: Martin Creamer 3rd September 2026 Superb mining and processing delivery, increased refined production, higher sales volumes and a significant recovery in precious and base metal... →
Sibanye-Stillwater earnings rocket 111%, R5.7bn dividend declared
By: Martin Creamer 1st September 2026 Platinum group metals (PGM) and gold mining company Sibanye-Stillwater achieved an exceptional half-year financial performance, with record revenue... →
Six-million-ounce platinum demand opportunity from hydrogen truck fleets
By: Martin Creamer 1st September 2026 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... →
