Global platinum production has been dominated by the top 10 largest platinum mining companies in the world for last several decades. Although the demand and consumption of platinum remain high all over the world, the production of platinum is highly concentrated, with the top five largest platinum mining companies representing over 70% of the world’s total platinum output. As the global platinum market continues to be boosted by its downstream sectors, such as the automotive industry, jewelry industry, and chemical industry, the output of platinum from these top platinum producers is expected to thrive further in the near future.
Global Platinum Market Overview
According to a recent report from the World Platinum Investment Council, the global platinum mining production improved 1% year-on-year to 6,110 thousand ounces (koz) or 173.2 metric tons in 2017. In addition to the 1,905 koz recycled platinum output, the global platinum supply totaled 8,015 koz or 227.2 metric tons in 2017. South Africa has once again maintained its title as largest platinum producing country in the world. and the number one platinum exporter in the world. Meanwhile, Anglo American Platinum is the world’s largest platinum mining companies, accounting for nearly 38% of total global platinum production annually. BizVibe has identified following largest platinum mining companies in the world based on their annual platinum production.
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Top 10 Largest Platinum Mining Companies in the World
1, Anglo American Platinum
Anglo American Platinum Limited is currently the world’s largest primary platinum producer, representing over 38% of the world’s total annual platinum supply. Anglo American Platinum, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, owns 11 mines across South Africa and in Zimbabwe. Its annual platinum production is nearly 2.4 million — worth more than $2.2 billion in value. Apart from being the largest platinum producer, Anglo American is also one of the world’s major producers of base metals (copper, nickel, cobalt sulfate, sodium sulfate, chrome) and largest gold producers.
2, Impala Platinum
Impala Platinum (Implats), headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, is one of the world’s foremost producers of platinum and associated platinum group metals (PGMs). Implats is structured around five main operations that are located on the Bushveld Complex in South Africa and the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe, the two most significant PGM-bearing ore bodies in the world. With its nearly 1.6 million ounces of platinum production every year, Impala Platinum is the world’s second-largest producer platinum.
3, Lonmin
Lonmin plc, formerly known the mining division of Lonrho plc, is a British producer of platinum group metals operating in the Bushveld Complex of South Africa. With its registered office is in London, and its operational headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, Lonmin produces about 680,000 ounces annually, making it the world’s third-largest platinum mining company. Lonmin’s primary operation, the Marikana mine, is on the western limb of the Bushveld complex.
4, Norilsk Nickel
Norilsk Nickel (Nornickel) is the world’s largest producer of nickel (accounting for 17% of global nickel production) and palladium (41% of the global production). It is also a world’s major producer of copper, gold, silver, iridium, selenium, ruthenium, and tellurium. Headquartered in Moscow, Russia, Nornickel operates in the Taimyr and Kola Peninsulas (both in Russia) as well as in mines in Botswana and South Africa. As Russia’s largest mining company, Nornickel also extracts and refines cobalt, silver, gold, tellurium, and selenium as by-products.
5, Aquarius
Aquarius Platinum is a Bermuda-registered and headquartered mining company that has its mining operations mainly in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Its platinum production is around 418,000 ounces of platinum per year from four of its mines, including Kroondal Mine, Marikana Mine, Everest Mine, all in South Africa, and Mimosa mine in Zimbabwe.
6, Northam Platinum Limited
Northam is an independent, fully empowered, mid-tier, integrated PGM producer with two primary operating assets, Zondereinde and Booysendal platinum group metal (PGM) mines, in the South African Bushveld Complex. The Zondereinde lease area is also the location for Northam’s metallurgical operations, which include a smelter and base metals recovery plant. Its primary products are the three main platinum group metals (PGMs) – platinum, palladium, and rhodium.
7, Sibanye Stillwater
Sibanye Stillwater is the largest individual producer of gold from South Africa and the third largest producer of palladium and platinum in the world, producing nearly 155,000 ounces of platinum annually. Domiciled in South Africa, Sibanye-Stillwater owns and operates a portfolio of high-quality operations and projects, which are located and managed in two regions: the Southern Africa (SA) region and the United States (US) region.
8, Vale SA
Vale SA is a Brazilian multinational corporation engaged in metals and mining industry, it is the world’s second-largest mining company, the largest producer of iron ore and pellets and the second-biggest nickel producer. As many nickel ores also contain PGMs, Vale is able to extract platinum as a by-product of its nickel-refining process. Its platinum production is around 134,000 ounces annually.
9, Glencore
Glencore is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies with headquarters in Baar, Switzerland. Glencore’s operations comprise around 150 mining and metallurgical sites, oil production assets and agricultural facilities. The company produces around 80,000 ounces of platinum annually from its nickel sulfide ores production in the Sudbury Basin, in Canada.
10, Asahi Holdings
Japan-based Asahi Holdings is one of the world’s largest platinum recycling companies. The company collects, refines and recycles precious and rare metals founded in electronics, catalysts, dentistry,jewelryy, and photography products, and produces about 75,000 ounces of platinum annually.
The Future of the Global Platinum Market
The global platinum market is poised to keep surging for the next 6 years. As demand increases and the performance of downstream sectors leads to further demand, expect to see the market continue thriving. In the future, the top 10 largest platinum mining companies in the world are expected to continue making a dent the industry not only in 2018 but going forward as well. Find these companies on BizVibe and start a new business connection.
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