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We have written many research pieces regarding South African production of PGM’s (Platinum Group Metals) and the critical situation regarding energy production supplied by the sole utility provider Eskom. These in-depth studies have been led by our key contributor, the vastly experienced Dr David Davies who is based on the ground in South Africa.

With South Africa producing 73% of global platinum supply, Russia at close to 12% and Zimbabwe at roughly 8%, these three countries produce roughly 92% to 93% of global Platinum supply. Global mining supply is forecast to fall circa. -10% in 2023.

Welcome to the emergence of a sustained global supply-demand deficit in Platinum.

Various research agencies across the PGM industry have continued to ignore the rapidly deteriorating infrastructure situation in South Africa as purely a side show. They have erroneously determined that this will not have a material effect on their global supply-demand forecasts. This approach is entirely naïve, when considering for example, the ongoing

oad-shedding in South Africa (rolling blackouts as a result of a severe electricity shortage) which are predictably having a very serious impact on mine production, negative repercussions on required future investment, major constraints on refining, repeated furnace damage due to rapid loss of temperature when blackouts hit, increased production costs, and the list goes on.. The hugely damaging impact of load-shedding (blackouts) is only forecast to deteriorate even further moving forwards, it is not expected to improve in the short to medium term.

Anglo American Platinum in their latest Q3 2022 Production Report stated:

1. Eskom power-outages impacted both concentrators and smelters in the period, which led to a loss of production, as well as an increase in built-up work-in-progress inventory of 40,400 PGM ounces. 

2. Total PGMs production (expressed as 5E+Au metal-inconcentrate) decreased by 6% to 1,046,100 ounces. 

3. Production of Platinum decreased by -6% versus 2021 3rd Qtr, and decreased by 5%, Year to Date. 

4. Metal in concentrate production from our Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) operations decreased by 6%, due to the impact of Eskom load-shedding (power outages) primarily in September, infrastructure closures at Amandelbult and lower grade at Mogalakwena.

Whilst this clearly affects Anglo American Platinum in particular, it is widely impacting all producers in South Africa which are experiencing various levels of damage to production supply and rising all in costs. As highlighted earlier, South Africa produces approximately 73% of the world’s platinum so the worldwide impact on the Platinum market will be heavily felt.

The World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) in their Platinum Quarterly Q2, 2022 Report, seem more in touch, with their forecasts: Total platinum supply in 2022 is Production Report stated:

forecast to decline -8% (-626 koz) year-on-year to 7,514 koz.

The chart below demonstrates the increasing frequency of Load-Shedding at Stages 4 moving into Stages 5 and 6 this year. The lack of a consistent supply of electricity is seriously impacting mining production in South Africa.

Meanwhile in Russia (which produces anywhere between 9% to 12% of global platinum supply), leading mining operator Nornickel has announced that they cannot guarantee 2023 production targets. The newly-emerged

challenges for the company remain highly acute, and the mitigation of risks for the timely supply of critical equipment and spare parts, remains their top priority. Nornickel has publicly announced that they remain cautious with regards to the execution of their 2023 production program targets.

It is of course good for Platinum investors, that Nornickel cannot guarantee 2023 production.

Nornickel announces Consolidated Production Results for 9 months of 2022 (24 October).

Meanwhile industrial demand for Platinum continues to increase and therefore a price resolution higher in Platinum is the very likely outcome; as market participants and industrial end-users begin to finally grasp the critical situation we face with the current global supply-demand deficit that is forecast to get worse year-on-year for the next 4 – 5 years.

The Platinum versus Gold Ratio Chart below, clearly demonstrates a turn in fortunes for the Platinum price:

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