The word platinum was derived from the Spanish platina or “little silver”.

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The six platinum group metals (PGM) are chemically very similar. Platinum, iridium and osmium are the densest known metals, platinum being 11 per cent denser than gold and about twice the weight of the same volume of silver or lead. Palladium, rhodium and ruthenium are lighter, palladium having about the same density as silver.

Platinum is primarily an industrial metal. It is a critical material for many industries. It is estimated that about 20% of the products purchased by modern consumers either contain platinum or use it in production.

Total demand for platinum falls into eight broad categories:

• Automotive – used in catalytic converters, spark plugs, and sensors
• Jewellery – as a substitute for gold
• Glass – dies and process technology
• Dental/Medical – equipment and reconstructive
• Investment – bullion and coins
• Chemical processing – also as a general catalyst
• Electrical/electronics – for high-temperature and non-corrosive wires and contacts

• Petroleum refining – as a catalyst for crude oil cracking 

Platinum is an extremely rare substance, far less abundant than gold. It is found only in a few commercially viable deposits on the earth. Most platinum is mined in three major producing regions in South Africa, Russia, and North America. South Africa is by far the largest producer supplying about two-thirds of the total world production. Russia is the next-largest producer, supplying about one quarter of world production. The rest of the platinum supply comes from North America and a few other small producers.

Industry Links

 Johnson Matthey: http://www.platinum.matthey.com/analyst_index.html

Australian Stock Exchange Limited: http://www.asx.com