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
Mining industry focused on creating sustainable State capacity to drive development, Joburg Indaba hears
By: Schalk Burger 7th October 2026 South Africa's mining industry, which has developed infrastructure to support mines and their surrounding communities, is working with government... →
Catalytic power of platinum, palladium being eyed for drones 
By: Martin Creamer 1st October 2026 The catalytic properties of platinum and palladium are being researched and developed as a potential source of significant upliftment for drones.... →
US-South Africa rift: separating the optics from the substance
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 30th September 2026 As political space between the countries widens, durable commercial ties and strategic interests provide room for a pragmatic bargain. Despite... →
South Africa’s complementary A2X exchange attracts another mining listing
By: Martin Creamer 29th September 2026 The ordinary shares of precious metals mining company Sibanye-Stillwater have been approved for inclusion in the list of qualifying equity... →
Big boost for platinum, palladium as China exchange internationalises
By: Martin Creamer 25th September 2026 From Monday, September 28, China will give international investors access to trading in palladium and platinum on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange... →
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... →
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... →
