The Platinum Centenary Commemoration: South Africa's Legacy of Excellence and Vision for the Future

The final event of the Platinum Centenary Commemoration, held today at the prestigious Wanderers Club, Illovo, Johannesburg, on the sidelines of Jewellex Africa 2024, was nothing short of a triumph. With a year-long celebration drawing to a close, the proceedings reflected South Africa’s unparalleled leadership in Platinum-Group Metals (PGMs) and its enduring legacy.

Dr. Ashok Damarupurshad set the tone with a compelling presentation on “The Platinum Centenary Commemoration – Legacy and Future.” Dr. Ashok passionately detailed why South Africa reigns as the GOAT of PGMs, underscoring the nation's dominance in platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, and iridium production. He highlighted PGMs' indispensable role in exports, employment, and the economy, all while celebrating South Africa’s world-leading mining technology and beneficiation practices. His poetic conclusion resonated deeply: "South Africa’s precious metals, formed in the stars billions of years ago, embody the essence of star stuff—South Africa is, indeed, the most precious country in the world."

Next, Sifiso Sibiya of Implats took the audience on a journey into the future of PGMs, outlining the megatrends that will define the industry for the next century. Though the current landscape feels like "winter," with the decline of internal combustion engines, he painted a hopeful picture driven by the hydrogen economy, decarbonisation, and renewable energy. The transition, he said, may be slow, but the industry will undoubtedly see a rebirth as these megatrends reshape the global energy ecosystem.

The Council for Geoscience's presentation added a historical dimension, diving into the Bushveld Igneous Complex’s geo-heritage and the rich, often overlooked history of early indigenous cultures. Mr. Medende made a strong case for revising geological lexicons to recognise the contributions of these pre-colonial societies, whose early mining practices laid the foundation for South Africa's modern geological understanding.

The day concluded on a dazzling note with a presentation by Fahmida Smith of Anglo American Platinum, who celebrated the world-class talent of South African jewellery fabricators. Showcasing award-winning pieces from the PlatAfrica competition, she reminded the audience of the nation's prowess in hand-crafted platinum jewellery, soon to be on display at the Hong Kong World Jewellery Trade Fair. In a tantalising preview, she also hinted at new developments in jewellery alloys and a push for a platinum-smith trade qualification in South Africa.

As the curtains closed on the Platinum Centenary Commemoration, the message was clear: South Africa’s status as a world champion in PGMs is unassailable. The legacy built over the last century will continue to shine for the next 100 years, securing the nation’s place on the global stage as the leader in PGMs and platinum craftsmanship. South Africa, indeed, remains the world’s most precious country.

Source:

SADPMR, 2024