Platinum is used in catalytic converters, electronics and jewellery, and South Africa's Bushveld Complex — one of the largest layered igneous rock formations on Earth — is the source of most of the world's supply, alongside significant reserves of palladium and rhodium.
Source: Minerals Council South Africa
Frequently Asked Questions
What is platinum mainly used for?
The largest use is in catalytic converters for vehicles, which reduce harmful emissions — platinum is also used in jewellery, electronics and increasingly in hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Where in South Africa is most platinum mined?
The Bushveld Complex, spanning parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West provinces, holds the vast majority of the country's platinum group metal deposits.
Which other countries are major platinum producers?
Russia is the next largest producer after South Africa, with Zimbabwe and Canada also holding significant reserves, though none approach South Africa's share of global supply.