Modern Mining September 2022

Sibanye-Stillwater and Heraeus to develop electrolyser catalysts

Precious metals miner Sibanye-Stillwater and precious metals services and prod ucts provider Heraeus Precious Metals have agreed to collaborate on research and development of novel Platinum Group Metals (PGM) containing electrocatalysts with high activity and stability for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolys ers, utilised in the production of Green Hydrogen, amongst others. The project will be equally funded by the parties over a three-year period. The results will be mutu ally commercialised, and the parties will cooperate on communication and market ing of the novel catalyst. Platinum and iridium are currently essen tial components of electrocatalysts for the generation of green hydrogen by means of PEM electrolysis. Iridium, however, is one of the scarcest PGMs and its limited availability is a potential constraint on the future widespread adoption of PGM PEM electrolysers. Reducing iridium loadings in PEM electrocatalysts is key to ensuring a sustainable hydrogen ecosystem, enabling PEM technology to be cost competitive to make triple digit giga-watt-scale a reality within the next decade. Technologies that reduce or replace iridium with, for example, ruthenium, offer significant potential. The partners aim to develop a new, robust solution based on looking at the substitution of iridium with other metals, as well as developing more sophisticated metal oxide structures. “Without cost effective PEM electrolysis

the targets for the ramp-up of the hydro gen economy cannot be achieved. We are ready to invest in a sustainable raw material strategy to make it happen,” says Heraeus Precious Metals’, Dr. Philipp Walter. “Our objective is to ensure our metals, including PGMs, play a vital role in unlock

ing the future green economy, including hydrogen. The partnership with Heraeus and the investment in the successful devel opment and commercialisation of catalysts for PEM electrolysers will enable another aspect of a greener future,” says Neal Froneman, CEO of Sibanye-Stillwater. 

Phase 1a Drilling Commences at Bengwenyama PGM Project ASX-listed Southern Palladium commenced with its Phase 1 drilling programme at its Bengwenyama PGM project, located on the Eastern Limb of the world class Bushveld Complex, South Africa. Three drill rigs have been mobilised on-site at Bengwenyama, where the first drill rig has commenced drill ing with preparations on-track for the other two rigs to commence drilling soon. Infill drilling will improve the confidence in the grade distribution and is aimed at converting the targeted shallow portion of Eerstegeluk 327 KT to a JORC 2012-compli ant Indicated Mineral Resource. A successful resource upgrade will then form the basis of the forthcoming Mining Right application.

Commenting on Southern Palladium’s operations update, MD Johan Odendaal, said: “The commencement of Phase 1 drilling marks a major milestone for the Bengwenyama project, and we are looking forward to receiving the first core trays at our core logging facility to prepare samples for assaying.” 

The aim of the programme is to confirm and refine the existing 3D structural model for the shallower areas on the Eastern por tion of the farm Eerstegeluk 327 KT. This will be followed by the Phase 1b programme (32 drillholes), which will comprise infill drilling across a narrower drilling grid (~350m grid).

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