Mineral Report India 2013

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PLATINUM AND PALLADIUM

Indian Minerals Yearbook 2013

(Part- II : Metals & Alloys)

52nd Edition


(FINAL RELEASE)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

INDIAN BUREAU OF MINES

Indira Bhavan, Civil Lines, NAGPUR 440 001

PHONE/FAX NO. (0712) 2565471 PBX : (0712) 2562649, 2560544, 2560648

E-MAIL : [email protected] Website: www.ibm.gov.in

May, 2015

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13 Platinum and Palladium

Platinum and palladium belong to platinum group ofmetals (PGM). The six platinum group of elementsor PGEs (Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir and Pt) are a family of sixgreyish to silver-white metals, except for osmium whichhas a slight bluish tinge with close chemical andphysical affinities. These six elements are classifiedinto two groups with reference to the specific gravityof gold (19.2). The elements, Ru, Rh, Pd (sp. gr. 12-12.4)are lighter, while the other three elements, Os, Ir and Ptare heavier than gold with sp. gr. in the range of21.0-21.5. Major applications of platinum and palladiumare in automotive sector for emission control and inchemical and petroleum refining.

RESOURCESIn India, appreciable values of platinum group of

elements (PGEs) were traced in the Precambrian mafic/ultramafic complexes in Sukinda and Nuasahi sectorsof Odisha and Sittampundi in Tamil Nadu. Sampling ofchromite ore bodies and their associated rocks revealedoccurrence of PGE in these areas. Preliminaryassessment of PGMs in Sukinda ultramafic fieldindicated isolated anomalous values in chromite.Platinum values of 2 to 400 ppb and palladium valuesof 1 to 500 ppb were established on analysis. Thelimonite cappings over ultramafic rocks showedcombined platinum and palladium values between 40and 290 ppb. In Boula-Nuasahi ultramafic complex, theeasternmost chromite band known as Shankar-Gangaload, investigations revealed potential PGMmineralisation. In Sittampundi Complex, Salem district,Tamil Nadu, analysis of chromite bands showed 0.03 to0.75 ppm Pt and 0.1 to 1.0 ppm Pd, whereas amphibolitesamples showed 0.03 to 0.05 ppm Pt and 0.03 to 0.5 ppmPd. A platinum-rich chromite-ferro-chromite brecciazone stretching to about hundred metres in gabbroicmatrix was identified in the southern extension of thealready known Boula-Nuasahi area in Kendujhardistrict, Odisha. In Usgaon area, Southern Goa,PGM samples analysed up to 0.03 ppm Pt and 0.03 to0.15 ppm Pd. In recent past, occurrences of PGEmineralisation were reported in mafic-ultramafic complexof Shimoga schist belt in Davangere district of

Karnataka. Three zones having 10 to 830 ppb ofplatinum and 50 to 1500 ppb of palladium wereestablished.

The major part of 15.7 tonnes UNFC resources ofPGMs estimated so far, i.e. 14.2 tonnes are located inNilgiri, Boula-Nuasahi and Sukinda areas in Odisha andremaining 1.5 tonnes in Hanumalpura area in Shimogaschist belt of Karnataka. About 49% resources are inpre-feasibility category and the remaining in inferredand reconnaissance category. The resources of PGMas on 1.4.2010 as per UNFC system are given inTable-1.

EXPLORATIONGSI carried out exploration in various areas in the

states of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh,Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Odishaand Tamil Nadu. The details are given in Table-2.

USESPlatinum and palladium are primarily used as

catalyst in controlling the toxicity of emissions fromautomobile, chemical and petroleum refining plants.Nearly half of the total platinum used worldwide is ascatalysts in catalytic converters in automobiles.Catalysts for automobile sector use platinum andpalladium. Automobiles that run on dieselpredominantly use platinum for catalytic conversion.The chemical inertness and refractory properties ofthese metals are conducive for their applications inelectrical, electronics, dental, medical fields and glassindustry. These metals are also used as catalyst invarious chemical processes, viz, in organic synthesisin hydrogenation,de-hydrogenation and isomerisation,production of nitric acid as also in the manufacture offertilizers, explosives & polymers and fabrication oflaboratory equipment.

Platinum, palladium and a variety of complexgold-silver-copper alloys are used as dentalrestorative materials. The unique properties ofplatinum find varied applications in the medicalfield. Platinum's excellent compatibility with livingtissue, as it does not get affected by the oxidisingreaction of blood, enables its utility in pacemakers.

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Table 1: Reserves/Resources of PGM as on 1.4.2010 (In tonnes of metal content)

Remaining resources Reserves

State Total Pre-feasibility Inferred Reconnaissance Total Total resources (A) STD 222 STD 333 STD 334 (B) (A+B)

India - 7.7 6.5 1.5 15.7 15.7

Karnataka - - - 1.5 1.5 1.5

Odisha - 7.7 6.5 - 14.2 14.2

The pr imary usage of PGM is inchemotherapy for treatment of cancer. It has theability to prevent division of certain living cells,a remarkable characteristic which finds profoundapplication in treatment of cancer. Besides,platinum-iridium alloys are extensively used inprosthetics and biomedical devices.

Platinum's excellent conductivity lends itselffor use in the electrodes of phosphoric acid fuelce l l s fo r genera t ing e lec t r i c i ty. Anothersignificant use of platinum and its alloys, in castor wrought form is in jewellery. Platinum-iridiumalloys find major application in making cruciblesfor growing crystals. Glass made with platinumand rhodium is used in housing construction, flatscreen televisions, computer monitors, displaypanels, automobile displays, factory monitoringequipment, etc. Recently, a new metallic glassfeaturing micro-alloys of palladium with silicon,germanium, silver, etc. was reportedly developeda t Univers i ty o f Ca l i fo rn ia . The g lass i scharac te r i sed by s t reng th and toughness .Platinum is used to enhance storage capacity ofdevices, such as computer hard discs, cell phones,digital cameras and personal music players.Recently, palladium-silver resistors have beenused in secondary lightning surge protectiondevices. In electronic industry, palladium's use isfor multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MLCC). Theeffect of miniaturisation of MLCC has not reducedthe quantum of palladium used as more number ofMLCC are required for the same electronic device.

Rhodium usage is also on the rise in theautomotive industry apart f rom f ibre glass.

Platinum is the catalyst used by fuel cells to converthydrogen and oxygen to electricity. Palladium isalso likely to play a role in fuel cells.

SUBSTITUTESIt is usually easier to substitute metals of the

platinum group for one another, especially inalloys, than to use alternative materials, which isevident from the total dominance of ruthenium-based resistors over the palladium-silver resistorsfor high-powered applications. Substitutes inelectrical use include tungsten, nickel, silver, goldand silicon carbide. Alternative catalysts includenickel, molybdenum, tungsten, chromium, cobalt,vanadium, si lver and rare earths. Rhenium,however, has been used most satisfactorily assubstitute for platinum as a catalyst in petroleumrefining. Stainless steel and ceramics can besubstituted where resistance to corrosion is thepr imary concern . Some motor veh ic lemanufacturers have substi tuted platinum bypalladium in catalytic converters, especially forpetrol engines. Particulate matter and residualsulphur contaminate palladium and hence, it wasexcluded from catalysts used in diesel vehicles.A new technology now a l lows up to 25%subst i tut ion of plat inum in diesel catalyt icconverters with palladium.

Similarly, manufacturers of electronic parts arealso reducing the average palladium content ofthe conductive pastes used to form the electrodesof multi-layer ceramic capacitors, substitutingbase metals or silver-palladium pastes whichcontain significantly less palladium.

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Table 2 : Details of Exploration Activities for PGM, 2012-13

GSIAndhra PradeshPrakasam Chimakurthi 1:12,500 100 - - 269 Reconnaissance stage investigation

igneous (G-4) was carried out forcomplex reapprisal of PGE. The

preliminary whole rock analysisof 10 petro-chemical samples havebeen received out, of which twopyroxenite samples yielded MgOvalue 18.52% and 22.45% respect-ively, and one luco gabbro sampleyielded MgO value 33.97%. Among58 BRs samples of pyroxenite, 13samples have yielded anomalousvalue of Cr ranging from 2026ppm - 3186.5 ppm and 26 samplesyielded value of Nickel from 1006.3-2055.0 ppm. The preliminaryanalysis results have pointed out thepyroxenite and luco-gabbro/noriteunit are favourable locales for PGEmineralisation. The work has beencompleted.

Arunachal PradeshAnjaw, - 1:12,500 41 - - - Reconnaissance stage investigationLohit, and Lower 1:2,000 2.5 was taken up to search for PGEDibang valley and gold mineralisation. The

analytical result of some of bed-rocksamples shows anomalous value ofCr i.e 2291 ppm, 3102 ppm and7658 ppm and Ni 2179 ppm, 2221ppm, 2314 ppm, 2383 ppm and2529 ppm. Work will be continued.

ChhattisgarhJashpur Mayurnacha- - - - - 270 Reconnaissance stage investigation

Kanpara (G-4) was taken up. The areaJhamjhor and exposes precambrian rocks whichMadhuban are intruded by basic and ultrabasicareas rocks. The available PCs data(Raigarh- indicates that the MgO content inBilaspur- the ultramafic rocks vary betweenSurguja 18.5%-37.26%. In AFM diagram,belt) the granites depict calc-alkaline

trend whereas the mafic and ultra-mafic shows tholeiite trend. Thesample indicates Au content 50 ppb-100 ppb, Ni : 4 ppm - 0.22%, Co :

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Mapping Drilling Sampling RemarksAgency/ Location/ (No.)State/ Area/ Scale Area No. of Meterage Reserves/resources estimatedDistrict Block (sq km) bore-

holes

KeralaNilambur valley 1:12,500 45 - - 90 Reconnaissance stage (G-4)

investigation was taken upinvolving mapping and samplingAerial reconnaissance and PGRSstudies have been carried outover 300 sq.km. area withErDAS image processingsoftware. Work will becontinued.

MaharashtraSindhudurg Akeri and - - - - - - Reconnaissance stage

Khandewadi investigation (G-4) was takenAreas up for preliminary assessment

for PGE, Ni & Chromium. Anultramafic body withstrike length of more than akilometer was delineated duringlarge scale mapping. Dissemina-tions of chromite were recorded.Another ultramafic rock (comp-osed of serpentine) showedthe presence of nearly 50micron sized gold grain (underEPMA). Groove sample yieldedNi values of 0.2% - 1%. Onesample has yielded significantPGE value of 275 ppb. A coursegrained amphibolite showed thepresence of multiple sulphidephases viz. pyrrhotite-millerite-pentlandite-chalcopyrite. XRDanalysis showed the presence oftremolite, serpentine, chabazite,chlorite, nimite(nickel mineral)jahansite in the ultramaficrocks. Work will be continued.

.

Raipur Chandranagar- 1:2,000 1.8 - - - Reconnaissance stage investigationLohardadar 1:2,000 1.2 (G-4) was carried out. Two ultra-areas basic bodies have been identified in(Sonakhan- Chandranagar block namelyGranite- Chandranagar (East) andGemstone Chandranagar (West). TheBelt) Lohardadar block is mainly

occupied by ultrabasic rock:gabbroacid volcanic and Chhattisgarhcover sediments. The analyticalresult so far received indicated Crvalue up to 435 ppm and Au value 90 km. Minor pyrite andchalcopyrite are present insome of the dykes in Deccantrap terrain. SEM-EDX andEPNA study of selected dykerock sample revealed occurrence of PGE minerals(Sudburyte hosted in Niccolite)in Vadbare block and goldspecks in dyke of Shanimandalblock. Work is continued.

NagalandOphiol i te - 150 - - - Reconnaissance stage (G-4)Bel t investigation was taken up to

search PGE mineralisation in-volving mapping and sampling.An area of 150 sq. km wascovered by reconnoitarygeological traverses.Sulphide mineralisation in theform of Pyrite and chalcopyritewas recorded in areas to SE ofThewati , Luthur and Zongarroad sections. Deep blue stainspossibly of azurite wereobserved in Phokpur and Moyaareas. Analytical results ofsample shows values of pt : 2.5ppb-10 ppb, Pd : 7 ppb-35 ppb,Iridium: 1.5 ppb-4 ppb,Ru :1.5 ppb - 6 ppb, Rh : O ppb- 1.5 ppb, nickel: 1258ppm-2508 ppm and Cr: 598ppm - 3939 ppm. Work will becontinued.

OdishaDhenkanal Kamakshya- 1:12,500 150 - - 100 Reconnaissance stage (G-4)

nagar- investigation was carried out inChandar marginal zone between EasternSector Ghat Mobile belt and Singhbhum

craton to search for potentialof PGE mineralisation.Activity has been completed.

Tamil Nadu T1 and T2 - - 09 869.80 226 Prospecting stage (G-3) investi-Namakkal sectors of gation was taken up to prove

Tasampalaiyam the depth persistence of PGEBlock in Sittampundi mineralisation and to evaluateComplex. resource potential. Trench sample

from the chromite and chromeferrrous metapyroxenite zoneanalysed Pt & Pd values ranging from0.5 to 2.0 ppm (with occasional highvalue of 21 ppm). The investigationwill be continued.

Table-2 (Contd.)

(Contd.)

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Table-2 (Concld.)Mapping Drilling Sampling Remarks

Agency/ Location/ (No.)State/ Area/ Scale Area No. of Meterage Reserves/resources estimatedDistrict Block (sq km) bore-

holes

Erode Solavanur - - 15 - - Prospecting stage (G-3)block in investigation was taken up to prove(Mettuppalaiyam the persistence of the PGEmafic-ultra- mineralised zone. As a follow-upmafic complex) programme, systematic drilling was

carried out to test the depth-wisepersistence of mineralisation at twolevels; 1st level (10 boreholes/30 mdepth) and 2nd level (5 bore holes/60m depth) at 100 m and 200 mspacing, respectively. The workwill be continued.

-do-Solavanur - 0.5 - - 180 Reconnaissance stage (G-4)Extension investigation was taken up to traceBlock and prove the persistence of PGE(Mettuppalaiyam mineralised meta pyroxenitemafic-ultra- bands. A total of 270 cu m ofmafic complex) trenching has been completed and

180 P&T samples collected andsent for PGE analysis. Work will becontinued.

-do- Karattadi- 1:12,500 100 - - - Reconnaissance stage (G-4)palaiyam investigation was taken up to mapGopichett- all ultramafic bodies withinpalaiyam Mettuppalaiyam ultramafic beltsDasampalaiyam and to assess the PGE potential. ASector total of seven mafic, ultramafic

bodies are demarcated with strikelength ranging from 150 m to1000 m and thickness varying from10 m to 100 m. A 500 cu.m.pitting/trenching was carried out.The work will be continued.

Tirupur Tirumankaradu - 75 - - 120 Reconnaissance stage (G-4)investigation was taken up todelineate the potential zone ofPGE mineralisation. A total no. of13 trenches with cumulativevolume of 230 cu.m. were openedand yielded rich peridotite bodies.The work has been completed.

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TECHNICAL POSSIBILITIES The spent converters contain plat inum

and palladium in 3:1 ratio, but heavy shifttowards use of palladium to meet s tr ingentemission controls will change this proportion ofrecovery.

The emergence of polymer e lec t ro lyt icmembrane (PEM) fue l ce l l s deve loped forpassenger cars and trucks will boost prospects ofplatinum in near future by replacing the highenergy battery-operated options for emissioncontrols. The costs of higher range of drivingand quick refuelling of fuel cells are, however,10 times more than the cost of petrol engine.

The development of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell(SOFC) in Japan will eliminate the use of platinumconverter as it is compact and gives consistentperformance as conversion of conventional fuelsinto hydrogen is avoided.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENTThe mineral processing department of the

Institute of Minerals & Material Technology(IMMT), Bhubaneswar (CSIR) was envisagingresearch focused on recovery of PGE values fromthe low tenor hosts like Boula-Nuasahi igneouscomplex by adopting suitable beneficiation testsand development of process f low sheet forrecovery of PGE from Indian ores. The methodsadopted elsewhere in the world perhaps maynot suit in India because the PGE occurs inoxide of chromium and sulphide facies in veryfine inclusions & exsolution form.

WORLD REVIEWThe largest reserves of PGMs are located

in Bushveld Complex in South Africa. Thewor ld rese rves o f PGMs are es t imated a t66,000 tonnes concentrated mostly in SouthAfrica (95%), followed by Russia (2%) and theUSA (1%) (Table-3).

The wor ld mine produc t ion of PGMsdecreased marginally to 431 tonnes of contained

metals in 2012 from 492 tonnes in 2011. SouthAfrica continued to be the leading producingcountry of PGM, contributing about 59% ofworld production, followed by Russia (27%),Canada (5%), Zimbabwe and the USA (4% each)(Table-4).

Recycling of PGMs was from three mainsources, i .e . , autocatalysts , e lectronics andjewellery. Globally, the share of platinum recoveryfrom autocatalysts increased by 9% in 2012 ascompared to 2011. Similarly, an increase of 10%in recovery from jewellery was recorded over2011, whereas recovery from electronic sectorremained static.

In case of pa l lad ium, recovery f romautocatalysts slightly decreased as compared to2011. The recovery from electronics decreasedby 10% and that from jewellery decreased by 9%over 2011.

Global platinum consumption in jewelleryincreased by 12% as compared to 2011. Palladiumconsumption in jewellery decreased by 12% in2012, whereas 7% increase was observed inautocatalysts industry. About 70% of worldconsumpt ion of p la t inum in jewel lery wascontr ibuted by China. The consumption ofplatinum in glass industry decreased by 65% to5,600 kg in 2012.

CanadaSMC continued to make progress on its

Marathon PGM-Copper project in Ontario andsubmitted an environmental impact statement. Themine was designed to produce 6220 kg per yearproduction based on 91.4 million tonnes of oregrading 0.83 gm/t Pd, 0.23 gm/t Pt. North AmericanPalladium Ltd, (Toronto), reported higher productionof Pd & Pt from its Lac des Isles Mine in Ontario.A new mine shaft was expected to be commissioned.Vale Inco Ltd recovered 7,810 kg Pd and 4,170 kg Ptas by-product from its nickel operations inSudbury. In addition to this, Vale, Xstrata Plcproduced PGMs as byproduct from nickel miningoperation at Sudbury.

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Table 3 : World Reserves of PGMs (By Principal Countries)

(In tonnes)

Count ry Reserves

World: Total (rounded) 6 6 0 0 0Canada 3 1 0Russia 1 1 0 0South Africa 6 3 0 0 0USA 9 0 0Other countries 8 0 0

Source: Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2014.Note: Figures for Colombia, Zimbabwe included with

other countries.

Table 4 : World Mine Production of PGMs (By Principal Countries)

(In tonnes of metal content)

Country 2010 2011 2012

World: Total 481.00 492.00 431.00

BotswanaPlatinum 0.49 0.37 0.43Palladium 2.83 2.11 2.61

Canada (e)

Platinum 3.60 8.00 7.00Palladium 6.20 14.00 12.00Other platinum metals 0.40 0.90 0.80

RussiaPlatinum 26.50 26.50 24.90Palladium 115.70 107.50 89.90Other platinummetals 2.20 2.10 2.80

South AfricaPlatinum 147.79 148.00 128.59Palladium 82.22 82.73 74.73Other platinummetals 57.29 58.11 51.01

USAPlatinum 3.45 3.70 3.70Palladium 11.60 12.40 12.20

ZimbabwePlatinum 8.64 10.83 7.66Palladium 6.92 8.42 5.90Other platinum metals 1.53 2.16 2.09

Other countries 3.64 4.17 4.68

Source: World Mineral Production, 2008-2012.

South AfricaThough South Africa continued to be the

largest producer of PGM in the world, its productiondecreased as compared to 2011 due to losses inproduction reported by major mines, viz., Mogalkwenaopen pit mines, Khuseleka, Siphumelele, Marikana,Modikwa, Bafokeng-Rasimone and Marula Mines.Incomplete infrastructure developments, workers'strikes and violent unrest were main reasons forthe production losses. Platinum Australia continuedwith a feasibility of Kalahari Platinum Project andplanned to extract a bulk sample for pilot plant treatment.

ZimbabweAmplats Unki Mines reached full production

capacity and produced 2,000 kg of platinum. TheMimosa Mine of Aquarius and Impala and Impala'sZimplats mines slightly increased their production in2012. The Phase -II expansion of Ngezi Mine , includinga third underground mine and a second concentratorcontinued and was expected to be completed in 2015.

FOREIGN TRADEExports

Exports of platinum alloys and related metalssignificantly increased to 1,780 kg valued atL 21 crore in 2012-13 from 382 kg valued at L 21 crorein the previous year. Exports in 2012-13 comprisedplatinum unwrought, platinum (powder) and platinumothers at 108 kg, 2 kg & 1645 kg, respectively. Exportof other metals of platinum group was only 25 kg, mainlyto Singapore. In 2012-13, 397 kg of platinum-clad base/precious metals was exported to Malaysia (96%) &Singapore (3%) (Tables - 5 to 10).

Imports Imports of platinum alloys and related metalsslightly increased in 2012-13 to 6,188 kg valued atL 1,203 crore as against 6,129 kg valued atL 1,173 crore in the previous year. Imports in2012-13 comprised platinum (powder, unwrought &others) 3,242 kg, platinum (others) 453 kg and othermetals of platinum group 2,493 kg. Imports weremainly from the UK (48%), Germany and SouthAfrica (12% each) and the USA (8% ) Besides, therewere imports of platinum-clad base/precious metalsto the tune of 4 kg in 2012-13. Germany was themain supplier (Tables - 11 to 17).

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Table 5 : Exports of Platinum Alloys &Related Metals : Total

(By Countries)

2011-12 2012-13Country

Qty Value Qty Value(kg) (L'000) (kg) (L '000)

All Countries 382 213172 1780 209126

UK 36 25829 1071 42110

Belgium 184 7093 368 11769

Afghanistan - - 203 1362

Switzerland - - 28 69673

Hong Kong 2 144 24 1791

USA 85 136615 23 18067

Singapore - - 23 15615

Germany 35 36267 6 45429

Israel 33 843 4 968

Indonesia - - 1 728

Other countries 7 6381 29 1614

Table 6 : Exports of Platinum (Unwrought)(By Countries)

2011-12 2012-13Country


All Countries 110 115346 108 134662

Switzerland - - 28 69673

Belgium - - 25 117

Hong Kong 1 108 24 1791

Germany 5 11995 6 45429

Afghanistan - - 6 1230

Israel 33 843 4 968

UK 28 4871 4 14077

USA 37 91150 3 855

France - - 3 113

Saudi Arabia 1 256 1 315


Table 7 : Exports of Platinum (Others)(By Countries)

2011-12 2012-13Country

Qty Value Qty Value(kg) (L'000) (kg) (L'000)

All Countries 222 29279 1645 42282UK 7 20778 1066 27351Belgium 184 7093 343 11652

Afghanistan - - 197 132USA 30 1371 19 1441Sweden - - 13 598

Italy - - 4 2

Indonesia - - 1 728

Japan - - 1 344

Ireland - - 1 34

Other countries 1 37 - -

Table 8 : Exports of Platinum (Powder)(By Countries)

2011-12 2012-13Country


All Countries 20 44274 2 16453USA 18 44093 1 15770UK 1 179 1 683Other countries 1 2 - -

Table 9 : Exports of Other Metals ofPlatinum Group

(By Country)

2011-12 2012-13Country


All Countries 30 24271 25 15729Singapore - - 22 15601Bulgaria - - 1 76Australia - - 1 47France - - 1 5Other countries 30 24271 - -

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Table 10 : Exports of Platinum-Clad Base/Precious Metal(By Countries)

2011-12 2012-13Country


All Countries 1 362 397 556

Malaysia - - 380 53

Singapore - - 10 7

Canada - - 1 334

UK - - 1 66

Australia - - 1 44

Mauritius - - 1 31

South Africa - - 1 16

Panama Republic - - 1 3

Bangladesh - - 1 2

Other countries 1 362 - -

Table 11 : Imports of Platinum Alloys andRelated Metals(By Countries)

2011-12 2012-13Country


All Countries 6129 11732833 6188 12030962

UK 1845 3454610 2282 5033328

Japan 790 1539641 1283 1723065

USA 472 881357 622 904633

Germany 650 1478009 611 1389979

South Africa 418 867873 500 1246684

Italy 331 525020 334 579309

China 291 493715 131 351395

Russia 190 231619 121 135176

Hong Kong 8 25042 70 193014

Norway 202 297811 57 118125

Other countries 932 1938136 177 356254

Table 12 : Imports of Platinum(Powder, Unwrought & Others)

(By Countries)

2011-12 2012-13Country


All Countries 3219 8406188 3242 8859935

UK 911 2383989 1546 4197732

Germany 514 1339024 390 1084775

South Africa 259 669135 389 1116995

USA 270 721674 256 658502

Italy 167 438655 200 533935

Japan 350 908509 127 354922

China 66 177545 121 337052

Hong Kong 6 16660 68 191510

Norway 47 122913 32 89386

Switzerland 87 220978 24 70880

Other countries 542 1407106 89 224246

Table 13: Imports of Other Metals ofPlatinum Group(By Countries)

2011-12 2012-13Country


All Countries 2078 2657404 2493 2977720

Japan 431 621932 1141 1353961

UK 715 839725 691 796388

Germany 60 101006 201 297062

USA 95 107542 195 195751

Russia 172 184806 120 134747

South Africa 154 194430 94 122523

Norway - - 25 28739

Singapore 7 16828 13 25961

China 171 269700 6 12347

Bangladesh - - 4 9556


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Table 14: Imports of Platinum (Others)(By Countries)

2011-12 2012-13Country


All Countries 832 669241 453 193307USA 107 52141 171 50380Italy 164 86365 132 44710UK 219 230895 45 39208Korea, Rep. of 6 3569 33 23045Japan 9 9201 15 14183Germany 76 37979 20 8142South Africa 5 4309 17 7167China 54 46469 4 1996Hong Kong 2 8381 2 1504Belgium 12 2700 1 870Other countries 178 187232 13 2102

Table 17 : Imports of Platinum -Powder(By Countries)

2011-12 2012-13Country


All Countries 1652 4270482 2070 5671294UK 312 797516 972 2624636South Africa 48 126891 338 957158Germany 229 581873 339 934654USA 196 511598 208 567864China 47 126094 120 334590Norway 47 122913 27 75865Italy 136 346774 21 54525Canada - - 16 42585Denmark 30 70957 15 42430Netherlands 12 32561 14 36987Other coutnries 595 1553305 - -

Table 16 : Imports of Platinum -Unwrought(By Countries)

2011-12 2012-13Country


All Countries 1567 4135706 1172 3188641UK 599 1586473 574 1573096Italy 31 91881 179 479410Japan 140 368058 127 354922Hong Kong 6 16660 68 191510South Africa 211 542244 51 159837Germany 285 757151 51 150121USA 74 210076 48 90638Switzerland 87 220978 24 70880Egypt - - 15 32198Bangladesh - - 11 28651Other countries 134 342185 24 57378

Table 15 : Imports of Platinum-CladBase/Precious Metal

(By Countries)

2011-12 2012-13Country


All Countries 7 1435 4 1416Germany 1 533 2 1139USA - - 1 172Thailand - - 1 104Other countries 6 902 ++ 1

FUTURE OUTLOOKIndia is not a platinum group of elements

(PGEs) producing country and is meeting itsdemand entirely by imports. The demand for PGEsis expected to touch 80 tonnes by 2017 and maytouch 120 tonnes by 2025, as per the Report ofthe Sub Group for 12th Plan period. Assuming thesuccess of sustained efforts directed towardsmining of the known resources at BNUC (Odisha)and development of a beneficiation flow sheetduring the 12th Plan, a plant of 2 tonnes per annumcapacity can be envisaged by the middle of the13th Plan. The Sub Group recommends that thepreparation of beneficiation feasibility report inthis regard may be assigned to any NationalLaboratory on priority basis. It expects that anadditional 10-20 tonnes per annum should berecovered from recycling by 2017.

There has been an increase in demand forthese metals because of increased demand fromthe automobi le indust ry and tha t f rom theemerging Asian markets, particularly in Chinaand India. However, platinum is losing marketshare to palladium in petrol-driven engines andpalladium has replaced some platinum in dieselcatalytic converters. The automobile sector plays

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a crucial role in the demand for platinum. TheKyoto Protocol on exhaust emissions and thecommercial success of the fuel cell technologydevelopment, on which sustained efforts are beingmade world over are the key drivers for the futuredemand of platinum, palladium and rhodium.

About 40% of the world supply of platinum isconsumed by the jewellery sector. Palladium,rhodium, iridium and ruthenium are used in electronicand electro-chemical industries, while osmium findsapplications in the medical field, such as inchemotherapy and pace-makers (alloy of Pt and Os).

These metals are poised to play a vital role in fuelcell technology once the economic viability of fuelcell is established for which sustained efforts arebeing made around the world. As the supply of allPGEs together is less than 600 tonnes with about500 tonnes coming from mine production, the boomin the demand for platinum jewellery and also as aninvestment can be expected. South African localissues, compounded by falling grades, deep mining,etc. are likely to determine whether sufficientplatinum and rhodium supply can be foreseen, whichin turn will dictate future prices.

Documents

Mineral Report India 2013