https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Receive our free daily newsletter:

Rhodium

Rhodium is a rare, silvery-white precious metal and member of the platinum-group metals (PGMs), distinguished by its exceptional hardness, reflectivity and resistance to corrosion. It is the scarcest and typically the most valuable of the PGMs, with highly concentrated supply and specialised industrial applications. The metal's primary use is in autocatalysts for petrol vehicles, where it works alongside platinum and palladium to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, a function for which no effective substitute has been found. Rhodium is almost exclusively produced as a by-product of platinum and palladium mining, making supply relatively inelastic and prices extremely volatile. South Africa's Bushveld Igneous Complex is the world's dominant source, accounting for the majority of global rhodium output. The metal is also recovered from operations in Russia, Zimbabwe and North America. Rhodium's price can fluctuate dramatically in response to changes in automotive emissions standards, vehicle production volumes and supply disruptions. Beyond autocatalysts, rhodium is used in glass manufacturing, electroplating and chemical catalysis, though these applications represent a small fraction of total demand. The metal is traded in small volumes on specialist markets, with pricing often reflecting tight supply conditions. Its strategic importance to the automotive sector and extreme scarcity make rhodium a critical component of PGM mining economics.

Rhodium Updates


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... 


Platinum crucibles.
Platinum’s the gift that just keeps on giving as global value-chain prospects resurface
25th May 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Platinum‑based equipment is critical for producing large, flawless crystals for electronics and optics applications, says the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) in its 60 Seconds feature.... 


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... 


An image of phones
Council highlights platinum’s role in producing crystals for electronics, optics
15th May 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Industry organisation the World Platinum Investment Council has highlighted the importance of platinum‑based equipment for producing large, flawless crystals for electronics and optics... 


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... 


Image of three headgears at Platreef
Platreef palladium/rhodium/nickel/platinum/copper/gold project, South Africa – update
1st May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Three major project milestones have been achieved.  


An image of Sylvania CEO Jaco Prinsloo
Sylvania’s SDO on track to achieve PGM guidance, but chrome outlook hampered
29th April 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Aim-listed Sylvania Platinum has reported a strong performance for the third quarter ended March 31, especially at the Sylvania Dump Operations (SDO), with production of 22 853 oz of platinum,... 


Sibanye-Stillwater chairperson Dr Vincent Maphai and CEO Dr Richard Stewart.
Sustainability remains integral Sibanye-Stillwater strategy, long-term value creator
28th April 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The embedding of sustainability remains integral to the strategy and long-term value creation of JSE-listed Sibanye-Stillwater, which records progress across energy, water and social outcomes in... 


Drill rig and Bengwenyama project
Bengwenyama platinum group metals project, South Africa – update
24th April 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Results from metallurgical testwork at the project have indicated that up to one-fifth of future revenues could be derived from chrome. 


The headgear of the Platreef Mine’s three shafts
Ivanhoe celebrates Platreef development milestones
23rd April 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Canadian mining company Ivanhoe Mines has celebrated the achievement of three major development milestones at its Platreef platinum/palladium/nickel/rhodium/gold/copper mine in Limpopo, South... 


Tumela mine at Valterra’s Amandelbult.
Valterra Platinum celebrates strong refined PGM uplift, laments safety decline
23rd April 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The refined platinum group metal (PGM) production of South Africa’s Valterra Platinum increased by 78% to 778 500 oz in the first three months of 2026 compared with the first quarter of 2025. PGM... 


Gold remains a safe-haven investment – Heraeus
Gold remains a safe-haven investment – Heraeus
21st April 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Throughout history, gold has been seen as a safe-haven asset, although recent price movements have not been what might be expected, metals refinery services provider Heraeus says. In its latest... 


Sibanye-Stillwater executive VP sales and marketing Kleantha Pillay.
PGM price underpin by investment, speculation expected to persist – Sibanye-Stillwater
20th April 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The underpinning of platinum group metals (PGM) prices by investment and speculation is expected to persist for as long as the high level of macro uncertainty persists, Sibanye-Stillwater executive... 


Sibanye-Stillwater’s Marikana K4 platinum group metals mine shaft.
Sibanye-Stillwater collaborates further to find new applications for platinum metals
17th April 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Mining and metals company Sibanye-Stillwater and the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (Necsa) on Friday announced their research collaboration to advance nuclear medicine for cancer... 


1

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







301

pqt: 0.078s - ct: 1.27s - 266pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now