Platinum as an investment is often compared in financial history to gold and silver, which were both known to be used as money in ancient civilizations. Experts posit that platinum is about 15–20 times scarcer than gold and approximately 60–100 times scarcer than silver, on the basis of annual mine production. Since 2014, platinum prices have fallen lower than gold. Approximately 75% of global platinum is mined in South Africa.
Impala Platinum Holdings Limited or Implats is a South African holding company that owns several companies which operate mines that produce platinum and platinum group metals, as well as nickel, copper and cobalt. Its most significant mine is the Impala mine in the North West province of South Africa. The company also owns or has interest in the Two Rivers mine and the Marula mine in the South Africa Bushveld Igneous Complex and the Mimosa mine and Zimplats in Zimbabwe, as well as the Impala Refining Services which smelts and refines metals for other companies. In December 2019, Impala Canada was formed, owned by the holding company, out of the acquisition of North American Palladium and its mine in Ontario, Canada.
The Modikwa platinum mine is a large underground mine in the north-eastern part of South Africa northwest of Burgersfort, Limpopo. It is part of the Bushveld Igneous Complex. Modikwa represents one of the largest platinum reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 215.2 million tonnes of ore grading 2 g/t platinum, 1.87 g/t palladium and minor grades of gold, rhodium, ruthenium and iridium. The mine has reserves of 13.8 million oz of platinum and 12.9 million oz of palladium and produces around 120,000 oz of platinum/year and 110,000 oz of palladium/year. The mine is owned under a 50%/50% joint venture by African Rainbow Minerals and Anglo American Platinum. Each of these companies have part of their stakes subdivided between other companies.
The Khomanani mine is a large open pit mine located in the north-western part of South Africa in Rustenburg, North West. Khomanani represents one of the largest platinum reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 5.3 million oz of platinum. The mine produces around 120,000 oz of platinum/year.
The Khuseleka mine is a large underground mine located in the north-western part of South Africa in Rustenburg, North West. Khuseleka represents one of the largest platinum reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 10.2 million oz of platinum. The mine produces around 130,000 oz of platinum/year.
The Siphumelele mine is one of the largest platinum mines located in the north-western part of South Africa in Rustenburg, North West. The mine is owned and operated by Anglo American Platinum. Siphumelele represents one of the largest platinum reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 12.4 million oz of platinum. The mine produces around 100,000 oz of platinum/year.
The Dishaba mine is a large open pit mine located in the north-western part of South Africa in Thabazimbi, Limpopo. Tumela represents one of the largest platinum reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 24.6 million oz of platinum. The mine produces around 160,000 oz of platinum/year.
The Twickenham mine is a large open pit mine located in the north-western part of South Africa in Mokopane, Limpopo. Twickenham represents one of the largest platinum reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 39.6 million oz of platinum. The mine produces around 45,000 oz of platinum/year.
The Kroondal mine is a large open pit mine located in the north-western part of South Africa in Rustenburg, North West. Kroondal represents one of the largest platinum reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 6.2 million oz of platinum. The mine produces around 217,000 oz of platinum/year.
The Mototolo mine is a large platinum mine located in the north-eastern part of South Africa in Burgersfort, Limpopo. Mototolo represents one of the largest platinum reserves in South Africa, having estimated reserves of 5.5 million oz of platinum. The mine produces around 57,000 oz of platinum per year.
The Bafokeng mine is a large open pit mine located in the north-eastern part of South Africa in Rustenburg, North West. Bafokeng represents one of the largest platinum reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 47.9 million oz of platinum. The mine produces around 171,000 oz of platinum/year.
The Konttijärvi mine is one of the largest gold mines in Finland and in the world. The mine is located in the north of the country in Lapland. The mine has estimated reserves of 2.8 million oz of gold, 2.07 million oz of palladium and 0.58 million oz of platinum. The mine also has ore reserves amounting to 35.6 million tonnes grading 0.19% copper and 0.07% nickel.
The Ahmavaara mine is one of the largest gold mines in Finland and in the world. The mine is located in the north of the country in Lapland. The mine has estimated reserves of 4.5 million oz of gold, 3.4 million oz of palladium and 0.72 million oz of platinum. The mine also has ore reserves amounting to 78.1 million tonnes grading 0.24% copper and 0.09% nickel.
The Portimo mine is one of the largest gold mines in Finland and in the world. The mine is located in the north of the country in Lapland. The mine has estimated reserves of 4.9 million oz of gold, 3.73 million oz of palladium and 1 million oz of platinum. The mine also has ore reserves amounting to 78.1 million tonnes grading 0.10% copper and 0.07% nickel.
The Aganozersky mine is a large mine in the north of Russia in the Republic of Karelia. Aganozersky represents one of the largest nickel reserve in Russia having estimated reserves of 405 million tonnes of ore grading 0.15% nickel, 2.33 million oz of platinum, 1.66 million oz of palladium and 0.43 million oz of gold. The 405 million tonnes of ore contains 0.6 million tonnes of nickel metal. The mine contains a large chromium reserve as well, having estimated reserves of 181.6 million tonnes of ore grading 21.8% chromium. The 181.6 million tonnes of ore contains 38.7 million tonnes of chromium metal.
The Shalozersky mine is a large mine in the north of Russia in the Republic of Karelia. Shalozersky represents one of the largest nickel reserve in Russia having estimated reserves of 306.1 million tonnes of ore grading 0.14% nickel, 4.56 million oz of platinum, 3.91 million oz of palladium and 0.85 million oz of gold. The 306.1 million tonnes of ore contains 0.43 million tonnes of nickel metal.
The Maslovskoye mine is a large mine in the center of Russia in the Krasnoyarsk Krai. Maslovskoye represents one of the largest nickel reserve in Russia having estimated reserves of 215 million tonnes of ore grading 0.33% nickel, 12.5 million oz of platinum, 35.5 million oz of palladium and 1.3 million oz of gold. The 215 million tonnes of ore contains 0.73 million tonnes of nickel metal.
The Impala mine is a large platinum mine located near Rustenburg in the North West Province of South Africa. Impala represents one of the largest platinum reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 68.9 million oz of platinum. The mine produces around 800,000 oz of platinum/year.
The Afplats mine is a large open pit mine, located in the north-western part of South Africa in North West. Afplats represents one of the largest platinum reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 19.6 million oz of platinum. The mine produces around 200,000 oz of platinum/year.
The Tamboti mine is a large open pit mine located in the north-western part of South Africa in North West. Tamboti represents one of the largest platinum reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 27.1 million oz of platinum. The mine produces around 500,000 oz of platinum/year.
