PGM processing across the Bushveld Complex

The recovery of Platinum Group Metals in South Africa is highly established and complex, with only a small handful of companies operating large smelting and refining facilities. PGM concentrate is transported to the smelters via rail and trucks for processing. Nickel and copper are recovered at the base metal refining facilities, and PGMs refined separately afterwards. SFA (Oxford) has detailed models that can monitor capacity utilisation rates at the plants, identify long-term opportunities for new PGM concentrates placement, and highlight operational bottlenecks.