From its biodiversity to its mineral reservoirs, South Africa is well-recognised as a plentiful land of natural resources and cultural heritage.

In particular, the northern province of Limpopo, which borders Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, is a region known as the ‘Bread and Fruit Basket’ of South Africa, producing 60% of its fruit, vegetables and wheat. Whilst it is also home to the safari Big Five – lions, elephants, rhinoceros, buffalo and leopards – Limpopo’s abundant resources do not stop on the Earth’s surface. Bountiful metals and mineral reservoirs beneath the ground have led to mining contributing to 20% of Limpopo’s economy.

Our flagship platinum mine in Mogalakwena, western Limpopo, is the largest open pit of its kind in the world. Alongside other Platinum Group Metals like Palladium, Rhodium and Iridium – which are all integral to three-way catalytic converters in combustion engines – our operations in South Africa also include mining Iron Ore. Though their scientific names might allude to grander uses, these metals play a key role in our daily lives. Here are some of the varied, and sometimes unexpected uses of two of our South African metals: platinum and iron ore.

Platinum

Thanks to its durable properties, platinum is an effective catalyst that enables chemical reactions. It also offers a clean, sustainable solution to our future energy and transport needs as it is a perfect fit as a catalyst in hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). The low-temperature, quick-start fuel cells in FCEVs, which consist of platinum and palladium, run off hydrogen and only emit water from the tailpipe.

Not only will platinum help our means of transport to become more sustainable, but it also is a crucial part in helping scientists innovate new ways to battle cancer. Platinum-based drugs treat a variety of cancers thanks to the metal’s ability to slow or even halt the division of living cells. Forty years ago, researchers created cisplatin, the first platinum-based chemotherapy drug, and today modern versions have improved the anti-tumour efficacy. This helps to reduce the toxicity profile of the drugs, embolden them against resistance and in turn tackle cancer head-on.

Platinum also has more everyday uses as it is an essential component of many personal care products. Platinum-cured silicone mixtures are found in cosmetics, shampoo and contact lenses. Beyond keeping you looking good, platinum also helps to keep you clean, particularly when it comes to healing. Silicones have extraordinary properties, including air and water permeability, and can be used in plasters to stick to dry skin and help to heal wounds.

Iron Ore

Iron Ore has served as the literal and metaphorical backbone of civilisation for centuries, and Mapungubwe World Heritage Site in Limpopo showcases distinctive Iron-Age characteristics. Today, iron is most commonly used as the main component of steel, of which 50% is produced purely for the construction industry! Sports and events stadiums are big consumers of steel, using it for a variety of purposes – from the structural shell and water infrastructure to the heating and cooling systems. The next time you’re cheering on your sports team or singing along to your favourite band, take pause to thank the invisible strength of the stadium as the biggest supporter of all.

Shining beyond the stadium, the metal also lends itself to less obvious uses like painting and decorating. When iron reacts with oxygen, iron oxide occurs, causing the element to undergo different processes that create bright pigments. From blues to reds, these pigments are inexpensive and effective ways to add colour to paint.

More than metal

The metals from the Mogalakwena mine have a far-reaching impact and Anglo American is proud to operate in the Limpopo region. Alongside hosting some 30,000 jobs, we also endeavour to give back to the region through community support. Since 2018, Anglo American Platinum has been funding the Hall Core Water Mapela project to help provide water to the Limpopo region as it continues to undergo drought. Through this project, Anglo American Platinum will help to deliver 3.5 million litres of water to surrounding communities and will pay for the potable water.

As we invest in platinum, we will continue to invest in the local region to ensure platinum’s benefits expand as wide as possible. To discover more about the Mogalakwena mine, check out our factsheet here.