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
South African miners accelerate shift to renewable power to cut Eskom reliance
By: Reuters 26th August 2026 South Africa's mining firms are accelerating investment in renewable energy as they seek to diversify power sources, cut costs and meet... →
Palladium demand support may emerge from zero-emission review, Heraeus reports 
By: Martin Creamer 24th August 2026 The UK’s review of its zero-emission vehicle mandate could provide some support to automotive palladium demand if manufacturers are given greater... →
SADC’s geopolitical moment will not wait
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 24th August 2026 The Durban summit identified the right economic priorities, but a geopolitical strategy and credible regional security approach are lacking. This... →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South African President, at the fourth session of the South Africa–Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC), OR Tambo Building, Pretoria (21/08/2026)
21st August 2026 We meet, Dear Brother, in the aftermath of the tragedy on Lake Kariba, where the capsizing of a ferry claimed close to a hundred lives. Our... →
South Africa mine dump collapse kills 14 illegal miners, police say
By: Reuters 11th August 2026 At least 14 suspected illegal miners were killed and eight injured when a mine dump collapsed in South Africa's North West province on Monday... →
Is South African mining’s modernisation urgency falling largely on deaf ears?
By: Martin Creamer 6th August 2026 Despite South African mining ending up tenth in a ten-country global benchmarking exercise, two-thirds of the respondents who participated in a... →
Considerable room to increase mining’s innovation intensity, survey finds
By: Martin Creamer 4th August 2026 The results of a study on the modernisation of South African mining indicate that there is considerable room to increase innovation participation... →
ARM highlights value of Bokoni platinum project, restart of nickel mine
By: Martin Creamer 31st July 2026 Bokoni and Nkomati are two of African Rainbow Minerals’ (ARM’s) 100%-owned flagship projects that are poised to unlock significant long-term value... →
Valterra Platinum remains ‘highly confident’ in ‘robust outlook’ for PGM demand
By: Martin Creamer 29th July 2026 Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed platinum group metals (PGM) mining and marketing company Valterra Platinum is actively supporting long-term PGM... →
Valterra Platinum earnings surge 1 633%, R15bn interim dividend declared
By: Martin Creamer 29th July 2026 Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed platinum group metals (PGM) mining and marketing company Valterra Platinum on Wednesday reported stunningly high... →
