Prospects of a manufacturing industry for the platinum group metals in South Africa
Date
2016-07-14
Authors
Barry, Shaun Downing
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Abstract
South Africa is the largest primary producer of platinum-group metals (PGMs) in the world. It is
estimated that only 2.1 per cent of the 153711 kg of total sales for 1993 was beneficiated locally.
Potential value added foreign exchange earnings and employment opportunities. therefore. are
being forfeited.
This study identifies prospective areas of development in the major sectors of application of
PGMs namely: autocatalysts; chemical and allied industries; electrical and electronics sectors;
jewellery and coinage fabricators.
The methodology of intensity of use (IOU) is first discussed. ThIs is followed by an analysts of
South Africa's production and sales of PGMs. The body of the report is an empirical study of the
IOU of platinum and palladium to establish a world outlook for these metals in their applications.
Finally, the more lucrative of these applications are discussed in the light of South Africa's
participiltion and competitiveness in the world market.
The conclusions are firstly, that the established autocatalyst industry has the best prospect for
growth and expansion. Secondly, the electrical application of platinum in fuel cells has potential
depending on the level of government funding and support for a R&D programme. The third
finding is that the electronics and jewellery industries have development potential on condition
that resistance to market entry can be overcome by reduced public policy costs. Possible
violation of GATT agreements may be avoided for these applications by world free trade
co-operation.
Description
A project report submitted to the faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering. Johannesburg, 1994.