creamer media

Global platinum supply amounted to 6.48-million ounces in 2011 and total gross platinum demand 8.1-million ounces. South Africa, the world’s largest platinum miner, supplied 4.86-million ounces of the total, belying the fact that actual mined production in the country decreased in 2011, as the overall supply increase was entirely the result of a release of metal from inventories. The decline in the country’s mined platinum production was estimated at about 120 000 oz. Johnson Matthey contends that it was largely a result of safety stoppages, imposed by government in terms of Section 54 of the Mine Health and Safety Act. The sector is also struggling under the weight of skills shortages, transformation and equity-ownership challenges, rising community expectations and a resurgence of resource nationalism across Africa. Nonetheless, Johnson Matthey expects that the overall balance of the platinum market in 2012 will be similar to that of 2011.

This report includes details of South Africa's platinum business environment, main participants in the sector, as well as other platinum miners and explorers.

The report draws on information available in the public domain. The report does not purport to provide analysis of market trends.

Published on: 19 July 2012.

Table of contents

List of abbreviations 1

Key developments 2

Business environment 3–7

• Platinum supply 3
• Safety issues 4
• Labour issues 4
• Exposure to Zimbabwe 5
• Prospects 5

Main participants in the platinum industry 8–20

• Anglo American Platinum 8
• Impala Platinum 11
• Lonmin 14
• Aquarius Platinum 16
• Northam Platinum 18
• ARM Platinum 19

Other platinum miners and explorers 21–31

• Atlatsa Resources 21
• Bauba Platinum 21
• Eastern Platinum 22
• Jubilee Platinum 23
• Nkwe Platinum 25
• Platinum Australia 25
• Platinum Group Metals 26
• Royal Bafokeng Platinum 27
• Sylvania Platinum 28
• Village Main Reef 29
• Wesizwe Platinum 29
• Xstrata Alloys 30

Main sources 32–34