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Palladium

Palladium is a silvery-white precious metal belonging to the platinum-group metals (PGMs), which also include platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium. It is primarily used in autocatalysts for petrol vehicles, where it helps convert harmful emissions into less toxic substances, accounting for the majority of global demand. The metal also finds applications in electronics, dentistry, jewellery and chemical catalysis. Palladium is typically mined as a by-product of platinum and nickel operations, with major production centres in South Africa's Bushveld Igneous Complex, Russia and North America. South Africa is one of the world's leading producers, with palladium often recovered alongside platinum, rhodium, nickel and copper from the same ore bodies. The metal is traded on international markets, with prices influenced by automotive demand, supply constraints and investment flows. Palladium's rarity and industrial importance make it a strategically significant commodity. Major mining companies operating in South Africa's palladium-rich deposits include both established producers and development-stage projects in Limpopo province. The metal's price has historically been volatile, reflecting shifts in automotive technology, environmental regulations and geopolitical factors affecting Russian supply.

Latest Articles in 60 Seconds

Platreef ramps up as Shaft 3 boosts hoisting capacity

At Ivanhoe Mines' Platreef project on South Africa's Bushveld Igneous Complex, Shaft 3 was fully commissioned in June 2026, lifting hoisting capacity about fivefold, while the Phase 1 concentrator produced 1 538 oz of platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold in the second quarter. Commercial production is now expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, with the 3.3-million-tonne-a-year Phase 2 concentrator targeted for completion in the fourth quarter of 2027 after financial close of a $700-million Phase 2 finance facility in April 2026.

Middle East tensions rattle precious metals, palladium ETFs keep shrinking

Renewed US-Iran hostilities briefly pulled gold below $4 100/oz, Heraeus Precious Metals reports, before precious metals rebounded. Palladium ETF holdings fell 15% in the first half of the year, to 990 000 oz, mostly during March's conflict, even as NYMEX vault holdings rose 23 000 oz.

European BEV surge slowly erodes palladium demand

Battery electric vehicle sales in Germany and France hit record highs of 28% and 30% of new car sales in June, after fuel prices spiked following the Strait of Hormuz closure, gradually eroding automotive palladium demand as combustion engine sales decline slowly.

Palladium Updates


A generic image of palladium rocks
Sibanye-Stillwater appeals US decision over Russian palladium import dumping
21st July 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

JSE-listed Sibanye-Stillwater has appealed a US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling, arguing that unfairly subsidised and dumped Russian palladium imports are lowering global prices and... 


Aerial view of the headgear of the Platreef mine’s three shafts. The recently commissioned four-million-tonne-a-year Shaft #3 will be used to hoist ore for the Phase 1 operation as well as, from the fourth quarter of 2027, for the Phase 2 operations. Shaft #2 is currently being widened to a diameter of 10 m, making it the largest shaft in Africa.
Platreef palladium/rhodium/nickel/platinum/copper/gold project, South Africa – update
17th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Commercial production is now expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. 


Precious metals prices drop amid resurfacing Middle East tensions
Precious metals prices drop amid resurfacing Middle East tensions
13th July 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Following the latest hostilities in the US war with Iran, precious metals prices dropped across the board, with the gold price falling back below $4 100/oz and silver below $60/oz. In its latest... 


A gold bar
JPMorgan sees $4 500 gold price in fourth quarter, says risks to downside
6th July 2026 By: Reuters

JPMorgan said demand for gold from key sectors would not be as strong as it had expected, limiting the rise in gold prices this year to $4 300/oz in the third quarter and $4 500/oz in the fourth... 


Reverse side of The Perth Mint's latest 1/10 oz platinum bullion coin in the Australian Lunar Series
The Perth Mint adds new 1/10 oz platinum bullion coin to Australian Lunar range
19th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

The Perth Mint has added a new 1/10 oz platinum bullion coin design to its well-established Australian Lunar Series, sitting alongside the one ounce platinum bullion coin that has been part of the... 


Shanghai Week poised to boost platinum still further.
July’s Shanghai Week set to firm up platinum’s already solid status
15th June 2026 By: Martin Creamer

In a year where change is proving to be rapid and consequential, the major upcoming Shanghai Platinum Week is bound to connect key trends across the platinum group metals (PGMs) value chain as it... 


Image of Jendamark Automation’s catalytic converter shrinker machine`
Locally manufactured catalytic converter ‘shrinker’ machine exported globally
5th June 2026

Innovative technology for ‘shrinking’ catalytic converters designed and built in South Africa by Jendamark Automation for the global market, uses SEW-EURODRIVE’s servo-geared units and motion... 


World Platinum Investment Council Director of Research Edward Sterck.
Investment demand for platinum still extremely strong – WPIC
5th June 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Investment demand for platinum remains extremely strong, with market fundamentals continuing to support platinum as a compelling investment. Market tightness suggests that there is insufficient... 


Platinum ore
Russian Platinum plans November launch of Arctic mine
4th June 2026 By: Reuters

Russian Platinum plans to start production at its Arctic polymetallic project in November, the company’s owner said on Thursday. Currently only metals giant Nornickel produces platinum group... 


SFA (Oxford) CEO Henk de Hoop.
Platinum investment demand broadening to minor PGM metals, SFA (Oxford) points out
3rd June 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The strong ongoing investment demand for platinum is broadening to the minor platinum group metals (PGMs) such as ruthenium and iridium, SFA (Oxford) CEO Henk de Hoop pointed out on Wednesday June... 


Hands holding gold bars
Gold prices pare losses after US inflation data
28th May 2026 By: Reuters

Gold trimmed losses on Thursday following the release of US April inflation data, but prices were still down for a third straight session as skepticism over a US–Iran deal clouded the interest rate... 


Drill core from Sarfartoq
Greenland Mines fast-tracks updated study on newly acquired Sarfartoq rare earths project
22nd May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Nasdaq-listed Greenland Mines has signed a definitive agreement with TSX-listed Neo Performance Materials to acquire full ownership of the Sarfartoq rare earths project in south-west Greenland for... 


Middle East conflict, regionalisation of markets contribute to shift in PGM sourcing, trade
Middle East conflict, regionalisation of markets contribute to shift in PGM sourcing, trade
18th May 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

The risk of a protracted US-Iran conflict, the accelerating regionalisation of PGM markets, alongside the launch of platinum and palladium futures on China’s Guangzhou Futures Exchange, represents... 


World Platinum Investment Council Director of Research Edward Sterck.
Investment demand for platinum still extremely strong
18th May 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Investment demand for platinum remains extremely strong, with market fundamentals continuing to support platinum as a compelling investment. Market tightness suggests that there is insufficient... 


At Eastplats' Crocodile River mine.
Positive operating income heartens challenged Eastplats
15th May 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Positive first-quarter mine operating income has heartened South African platinum group metals (PGM) and chrome mining company Eastplats, which reported on Friday, May 15 that it will continue to... 


Aerial view of the Platreef Mine site, showing the existing surface infrastructure, as well as an outline of the locations for the future Phase 2 and 3 concentrators, adjacent to the current Phase 1 concentrator
Platreef palladium/rhodium/nickel/platinum/copper/gold project, South Africa – update
15th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Construction of Shaft 3, and its associated underground materials-handling and crushing infrastructure, is in the final stages of commissioning.  


Employees work in an underground PGM mine in South Africa
Platinum to remain in deficit this year, while palladium, rhodium may record surpluses – Johnson Matthey
14th May 2026 By: Chanel de Bruyn

Sustainable technologies group Johnson Matthey notes in its latest 'PGM Market Report' that platinum demand will exceed supply again this year on the back of firm industrial use and constrained... 


MAC president and CEO Pierre Gratton
Association urges action to ensure Canada's mining sector remains globally competitive
14th May 2026 By: Chanel de Bruyn

While Canada has the minerals and metals the world needs, strong environmental and labour standards and significant untapped potential, it must improve the efficiency and predictability of project... 


Peñasquito mine, in Mexico
Wheaton posts $582m quarterly net earnings among multiple Q1 financial records
8th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

London-, Toronto-, and New York-listed streaming company Wheaton Precious Metals started the 2026 financial year off strong with a record $901-million of quarterly revenue generated, as well as a... 


Jendamark Automation’s catalytic converter shrinker machine integrates a 12-segment precision shrinking system, where SEW-EURODRIVE servo gear units and motion control software ensure each can is accurately reduced to predetermined dimensions based on mat weight and component tolerances
Jendamark catalyst shrinking technology leveraging SEW-EURODRIVE precision
6th May 2026

Innovative technology for ‘shrinking’ catalytic converters - designed and built in South Africa by Jendamark Automation for the global market - relies on the precision of SEW-EURODRIVE’s highly... 


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