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Research and technology in the platinum sector is mainly focused on developing and producing new functional materials for high-tech advanced products in the electronics, chemicals and automotive industries.
South Africa’s national mineral research organisation, Mintek, is the main body involved in the development of new technologies for the platinum industry. Mintek plays an important role in developing both extraction and new applications technologies for platinum.
According to Mintek, the aero-engine and power generation industries are potentially the singe largest near-term application. Due to the high cost of R&D, Mintek has started different cooperation projects with two main programmes:
- the development of a new class of ultra-high temperature alloys based primarily on platinum;
- the introduction of platinum and other PGMs into de "fourth generation" nickel-base superalloys.
Recent research in the autocatalysts sector has also shown that platinum may be used to meet emission limits at similar loadings than palladium. In Europe learn burn gasoline engine technology for passenger cars is being developed. In addition, most of the automakers made specific efforts in the research and development of fuel cells and the proton exchange membrane technology.
Since the extraction and production of platinum is a quite complex process, there is a wide scope for research and technology advances in this field. The efficiency of platinum extraction is low and any improvement in efficiency would end up with significant gains. New technologies are continuously developed to reduce operating costs and increase efficiency in platinum recovery.
In order to increase extraction and recovery efficiencies some South African mines are using drill-rigs, enabling the operator to drill several holes at once. Moreover, the use of low-cost, open pit mining is becoming more usual. Developments in processing technology have allowed for better recoveries from near surface. Research and technology is also focusing in the mechanization of mining methods and in non-explosive mining technology.
New technologies developed by Mintek include the modified matte-smelting process employing reduced conditions for smelting with high levels of chromite. This process would allow for higher recoveries during flotation. Moreover an alternative process to treat refinery residues has been identified. There are also new processes trying to separate the PGMs from the base metals as early as possible as well as the FloatStar flotation level controller for process control and optimization.
