- Speaking at the Platinum Group Metals Industry Day in Johannesburg yesterday, South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr Gwede Mantashe, said that the Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) commodities are poised to make a significant contribution to domestic and global economies as the demand for platinum in hydrogen-fuelled cell powered vehicles is expected to increase.
Mr Mantashe outlined that the commissioning of the Hydrogen Valley Feasibility Study Report saw a successful Public-Private Partnership across national departments, the economic development departments of Limpopo, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, Anglo Platinum, Bambili and ENGIE towards the establishment of the Hydrogen Valley South Africa (HySA).
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“According to global trends, the demand for platinum in hydrogen-fuelled cell powered vehicles is expected to increase. Government has announced plans to establish a Platinum Valley project that will be built as a new industrial cluster for South Africa. We must support the conversion of truck diesel engines into hydrogen powered vehicles, which was initiated by Anglo American Platinum. This will enhance demand not only for PGMs but also the technologies to be championed”, said Mantashe.
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“South Africa’s hydrogen valley will identify stable and established project opportunities for kick-starting hydrogen initiatives in promising hubs, with the aim of boosting economic growth and job creation. This in turn is set to spur the development of circular industries, increasing local platinum demand, and reducing its carbon footprint,” added Mantashe,
The industrial corridor project is planned to start in a PGMs mining area in Limpopo, including the Limpopo Province Science and Technology Park, and continue through the Johannesburg-to-Durban corridor (OR Tambo International Airport to King Shaka International Airport).
“These initiatives are poised to be trend setters in the application of PGMs as green source of energy,” concluded Mantashe.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
