The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Fikile Majola says government is keenly looking forward to South Africa taking a competitive place as a beneficiator of its own precious metals.
This came out of his address, at the launch of the first state-of-the-art facility, custom-designed to host manufacturing processes of platinum group metal (PGM) components for the fuel cell and electrolyser industries that underpin the emerging green hydrogen industry.
His speech at the webinar launch was read on his behalf by the Acting Chief Director of Special Economic Zones and Industrial Parks at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Mr Thami Klassen.
This is the project of the Isondo Precious Metals (IPM), a Level 2 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) platinum technology company. The company is establishing an industrial scale, high-tech, fuel cell and electrolyser component manufacturing facility within the OR Tambo Special Economic Zone (SEZ) adjacent to Africa’s busiest airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. This facility has been designed to incorporate cutting-edge cleanroom and production environments that will house manufacturing, material preparation and research and development activities.
Deputy Minister Majola said the construction process of the Isondo Precious Metals facility showed a significant milestone in the beneficiation of South Africa’s own precious metals. He said it supported the growth of the beneficiation of precious metals and minerals sector, with a focus on light, high-margin, export-oriented manufacturing of South African precious and semi-precious metals.
“The Hydrogen Economy is a potential game changer for the whole world. South Africa is well positioned to capitalise on this rapidly developing global hydrogen economy. Our department has to date approved R55 million towards feasibility and execution of the IPM manufacturing capability. The support of the green hydrogen sector will increase the competitiveness of our manufacturing sector. The start of the construction process of the Isondo Precious Metals facility shows a significant milestone in the beneficiation our own precious metals,” said Majola.
He added that government was committed to working with all stakeholders to advance the development and creating an enabling environment for the development of this new industry as part of the country’s re-industrialisation strategy and to become an exporter of cost -effective green hydrogen.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedtic.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
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