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Results from metallurgical test work at the Bengwenyama platinum group metals (PGM) project in South Africa's Limpopo province indicate that up to a fifth of Southern Palladium's future revenues could come from chrome.

In an announcement on the ASX and JSE on Friday Southern Palladium reported that the results from its latest metallurgical test work not only confirm the high-grade nature of the Bengwenyama upper group two (UG2) mineral resource but also suggest that chromite concentrate recoveries of more than double initial estimates are achievable.

"Metallurgical test work has once again confirmed the grade and robust nature of the UG2 Mineral Resource, but the doubling of chrome recoveries is potentially company-changing; it elevates chrome from a by-product to a parallel output," Southern Palladium CEO Johan Odendaal highlighted in a media release to Mining Weekly.

On a three-element basis, the metallurgical sample indicates an average combined platinum, palladium and gold grade of 7.35 g/t and a prill split of 49.9% platinum, 48.6% palladium and 1.5% gold with a chromium oxide grade of 29.71%.

These mineral resource grades confirm that the metallurgical sample is representative of the first 10 years of the planned development and could add about 350 000 t of chrome concentrate to production.

Recoveries of 65% were achieved in the test work compared with 30% assumed in the optimised prefeasibility study (OPFS) released in July last year.

Improvements in the high-grade chrome concentrate recoveries have a materially positive impact on project revenues, with chrome comprising 12% of revenue in the original OPFS.

As part of the test work, composite samples that included the footwall were put through dense media separation (DMS) and gravity test work. DMS was not part of the processing circuit outlined in the OPFS circuit, but the positive results of the test work have encouraged Southern Palladium to include it in its definitive feasibility study (DFS).

"DMS as a waste rejection stage in UG2 beneficiation is a well-established industry practice for removing barren footwall and hanging wall material included in the mining cut. The key benefits of this approach are a substantial reduction in the milling and flotation circuit load, together with a marked increase in both PGM and chromite head grades to the concentrator," Odendaal explained.

The higher mass yield of chromite concentrate, and DMS waste removal, will materially reduce the quantity of feed to the PGM mill/flotation circuit and also lessen the risk of PGM concentrate penalties.

This allows Southern Palladium to introduce a smaller PGM mill/flotation circuit, reducing upfront capital and accelerating project development.

Southern Palladium reports that it is continuing to make strong progress at advancing DFS workstreams and early mine development planning and the latest results are being refined into the final DFS-level work on plant design and metrics.

Located on the eastern limb of South Africa's Bushveld Complex, the Bengwenyama PGM project is one of the world's largest remaining undeveloped PGM resources.

The project encompasses the UG2 and Merensky reefs, spanning from surface to a depth of 1 100 m over a downdip extent of 10 km. These reefs represent primary economic deposits exploited by other platinum mining companies in the region.

Southern Palladium is focused on the UG2 reef, which is the predominantly mined reef in the area.

The project benefits from proximity to existing mining operations and established infrastructure, enhancing its strategic value and development potential.

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation.

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 treatment.

This followed Sibanye-Stillwater's announcement on Thursday that it is partnering with precious metals and technology company Heraeus in a joint research and development project aimed at developing a generation of innovative, cost-efficient glass fibre bushings.

Earlier this year, Sibanye-Stillwater also co-launched a new programme to develop innovative technologies that are enabled by platinum group metals (PGMs) together with Valterra Platinum and technology provider Johnson Matthey.

The aim of Sibanye-Stillwater's latest collaboration with Necsa is to advance the development of a radioactive palladium isotope derived from rhodium for use in targeted radionuclide therapy.

The radioactive isotope palladium-103 (Pd-103) is currently used in Brachytherapy to treat localised tumours, including prostate cancer, by delivering radiation directly to the affected area, thereby limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

Rhodium is a PGM produced and refined by Sibanye-Stillwater at its South African operations.

Under the first phase of the project, Necsa will test and verify that the rhodium meets radionuclide production standards and will conduct further chemical work, including the production of high-purity Pd-103, which could eventually be used in targeted radionuclide therapy.

The second phase of the project will see the parties collaborate on developing other nuclear medicine applications using rhodium and other PGMs produced by Sibanye-Stillwater. PGMs are already used in a range of medical applications, including diagnostic imaging and medical devices.

"This collaboration brings together complementary strengths to advance research in nuclear medicine, while deepening South Africa's sovereign capability in radiopharmaceutical innovation," Necsa group CEO Loyiso Tyabashe pointed out.

"Our vision is not only to contribute to the next generation of precision cancer therapies, but also to strengthen the country's role as a globally respected centre of excellence in nuclear research," Tyabashe added.

The collaboration with Necsa reinforces Sibanye-Stillwater's philosophy to invest in research and development (R&D) opportunities to find new applications for its metals.

"Supporting advancements in healthcare through the potential use of our rhodium in nuclear medicine aligns strongly with our purpose to create a better future for people and planet through our metals," Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Dr Richard Stewart stated in a media release to Mining Weekly.

Necsa is mandated to develop, utilise, and manage nuclear technology for national and regional socioeconomic development through applied R&D, commercial applications and skills development in science and technology.

Sibanye-Stillwater is a producer and refiner of platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium and ruthenium, gold, nickel, chrome, copper, silver, cobalt, zinc and battery metals and has increased its presence in the circular economy by expanding its recycling and secondary-mining exposure globally.

Mining Weekly Editor Martin Creamer discusses the R105-billion in investment pledges for the Northern Cape; the exploration workshops that BHP is set to launch; and the green hydrogen breakthrough in Namibia.

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation.

TSX-V-listed Defense Metals Corporation has been included in the newly launched Sprott Rare Earth Ex-China Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF), which is the only ETF providing focused exposure to rare earth companies outside of China.

Defense Metals CEO and president Mark Tory says inclusion in the ETF validates the company's success in advancing the Wicheeda rare earths project, in British Columbia.

He adds that exposure through the ETF will allow the company to attract additional institutional investment and increase liquidity, as the ETF is expected to be an important benchmark for investors focused on this critical materials segment of the market.

The Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF has been designed to track the performance of global companies engaged in the mining, separation, refining and production of rare earth elements, while excluding companies domiciled in or primarily operating in China.

Defense Metals is currently advancing the Wicheeda project through the feasibility study stage, with a prefeasibility study in 2025 having confirmed the project's status as one of the most advanced undeveloped rare earth deposits in North America.

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation.

South Africa's minerals-endowed Northern Cape province has attracted more than R105-billion in investment pledges in new and expanded mining, energy and agriculture projects, with an expected 19 800 new jobs to be created as a result.

The investment accords were signed at this week's inaugural Northern Cape Investment and Jobs Conference in Kimberley. The three-day conference was attended by over 900 stakeholders, including government Ministers, industry leaders and prospective investors, to catalyse investment and growth opportunities in the province's green energy, minerals and mining, agriculture, industrialisation, infrastructure and logistics, and tourism sectors.

The new investor commitments are described by Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul as taking the Northern Cape a long way toward achieving its target of growing the province's GDP from R164-billion to R200-billion and creating at least 60 000 new and sustainable jobs by 2030. "After all the deliberations of the past three days, serious commitments have been made and we assure all the corporate entities that have made these pledges that we don't take your commitments for granted," Saul added in a media release to Mining Weekly.

The mining industry investments included:

A R17-billion commitment by Vedanta Zinc International for expansion of its Gamsberg mine, which will make it the world's largest zinc mine, as well as for the development of a smelter in the province.An R11.2-billion commitment by Anglo American that will take in expansion of Kumba Iron Ore.A R2.8-billion investment by Northern Cape Protech & Agri Revolution in mining, beneficiation and agriculture.A R1.4-billion commitment by South32 for mining and beneficiation.

Investments announced in the province's renewable-energy sector included:

A R30-billion investment by IPPO in the new Upington Energy Park renewable energy generation and storage facility.A R16.8-billion green energy production investment by Ando Energy.A R13-billion commitment from Mulilo for expanded green energy production enabling industrialisation pathways in the province.A R12-billion investment by Prieska Power Reserve for a catalytic green hydrogen and ammonia project set to start producing in 2030.

Investments announced in the agriculture and agro-processing sectors included:

A R1.5-billion investment by South African Atlantic Salmon for the development and enhancement of the Nama Aquaculture Park with a salmon processing facility.A R30-million investment by Dune Foods, which focuses on producing MannaBrew, a mesquite-based alternative to coffee.

"It's been a truly remarkable few days," said Northern Cape Finance, Economic Development and Tourism MEC Venus Blennies-Magage. "We close with a clear pathway forward to unlock large-scale investment, unlock economic inclusion and create sustainable jobs for the people of the Northern Cape."