Platinum 2019: A review of South Africa's platinum sector

In February 2019, Minerals Council South Africa CEO Roger Baxter stated that the sector was in crisis, as more than 60% of the platinum mining industry was either lossmaking or marginal. He attributed the difficulties to an oversupply in the market, as a result of static new mine supply, weaker demand, increased platinum recycling volumes, domestic labour disruptions, lower productivity and rising costs. Despite all the challenges, the Minerals Council and platinum group metals producer Anglo American Platinum CEO Chris Griffith are optimistic that the industry can turn itself around if it takes the right steps. This includes ensuring that South Africa creates global demand by promoting platinum as a store of value and an investment product. Creamer Media’s Platinum 2019 report provides a global overview of the platinum market, with a particular focus on South Africa’s platinum-sector business and regulatory environment. The report includes commentary on the main participants in South Africa’s platinum industry, other platinum producers, and exploration and development companies.