"The main driver of platinum's supply deficit last year was a sharp drop in supply of the metal from top platinum producer South Africa, where a series of violent mining strikes resulted in a sharp drop in platinum production and the loss of 50 lives. Supply of platinum from the country fell last year to its lowest level since 2001, at 4.095 million ounces, as over 750,000 ounces of platinum production was lost due to strikes, said Johnson Matthey."
"South African mining companies have been under pressure in recent years from rapidly rising costs that made some mines unprofitable. The threat of mine closures and related job losses have led to strikes and government mediation."
On the other hand, future platinum demand for autocatalyst use in cars is hard to ascertain, precious metal prices are stagnating right now, and the GFC is having a slowing effect generally.
However, if you're interested, ASX:ETPMPT is one option for playing platinum, although you'd have to be a believer in the security of "paper platinum" over your investment timeframe.
If anyone knows of an ASX-listed platinum miner stock with mines located outside of South Africa and Zimbabwe, I'd be interested to know please.
The only Australian deposit I know of is the Panton project held by Panoramic Resources, but PAN is primarily a nickel play, and anyway Panton isn't being developed.
Asx-listed companies Platinum Australia, Aquarius Platinum, and Zimplats are ruled out, because their mines are in Africa or they've gone bust.
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