downstream beneficiation for PGMs in South Africa to the Minister of Minerals
and Energy
27 June 2007
The Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) continues to encourage the
beneficiation of South African mineral resources in collaboration with the
mining industry. Beneficiation of the country's mineral resources in general,
is one of the seven pillars of the mining charter. The Platinum Group Metals
mining companies, Anglo Platinum, Lonmin and Impala Platinum in collaboration
with the DME have shown great commitment to this objective by initiating a
process aimed at identifying opportunities for further beneficiation of the
country's PGMs.
The Platinum Group Metals Beneficiation Committee (PBC), a broad-based and
tripartite committee, was created by DME and the mining companies, and it
enjoys full representation of all stakeholders in the PGM industry that can add
value to the process. This team brought together government, represented by the
Departments of Minerals and Energy, Trade and Industry, Science and Technology,
Public Enterprises and Finance, together with organised labour, and business
representatives from Anglo Platinum, Impala Platinum, Lonmin, Umicore, Heraeus,
Johnson Matthey, Engelhard and the Chamber of Mines.
As a short-term objective, two studies were commissioned, namely a PGM
Downstream Value Addition Study and a PGM Inputs Cluster Study. The Downstream
Value Addition Study was completed and presented to the Minister of Minerals
and Energy, Ms Buyelwa Sonjica by the three Chief Executive Officers, Ralph
Havenstein of Anglo Platinum, Brad Mills of Lonmin and David Brown of Impala
Platinum on 25 June 2007. The objectives of the study were to develop a
thorough understanding of the local and international PGM industry; identify
areas of opportunities for development of the downstream industry in South
Africa and provide strategic recommendations for increased downstream value
addition.
Through the study, the researchers profiled the South African PGM context,
assessed international markets and value chain dynamics, identified best
practice initiatives and tested potential initiatives. The study outlines
specific downstream opportunities for beneficiation and potential initiatives
that would support development. The Minister expressed appreciation for the
effort expended by the PBC in completing the study. She also highlighted the
fact that beneficiation of the country's mineral resources remains one of
Accelerated and Shared Growth for South Africa's (AsgiSA's) priority
projects.
The Minister and the leaders of business have committed to continuing with
the process and implementing the recommendations of the study. This includes
the extension of the PBC's role to provide overall co-ordination, oversight,
monitoring and evaluation and outsourcing of implementation tasks. To this end,
the committee will establish task teams to focus on addressing the packaged
initiatives that need to be undertaken to allow the country to benefit fully
from the opportunities for further beneficiation of PGMs in South Africa.
Enquiries:
Ministerial Liaison Officer
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 521 9614
Issued by: Department of Minerals and Energy
27 June 2007
Source: Department of Minerals and Energy (http://www.dme.gov.za)
