Waterberg Project Emerges as World-Class Platinum Group Metals Operation

Platinum Group Metals Ltd. is making substantial progress in developing the Waterberg Project, a large-scale platinum group metals mine located in South Africa that is projected to become one of the largest and lowest-cost underground PGM operations globally. The project represents a strategic approach to metal extraction, designed as a fully mechanized, shallow, decline-access mine that will focus on extracting platinum, palladium, rhodium, and gold, with additional by-product production of copper and nickel.

An independent definitive feasibility study completed in September 2024 has confirmed the project's world-class potential, validating its economic viability and operational efficiency. Platinum group metals, which include platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium, play a critical role in numerous modern industrial and technological applications. These metals have significant importance across various sectors, including automotive manufacturing where they serve as essential components in catalytic converters, electronics manufacturing for high-performance components, medical technologies for diagnostic equipment and implants, and sustainable energy solutions including hydrogen fuel cells and renewable energy systems.

The Waterberg Project's development comes at a time of increasing global demand for platinum group metals driven by technological advancements and the transition to cleaner energy systems. By positioning itself as a potentially low-cost producer, Platinum Group Metals Ltd. is strategically aligning with emerging market needs and technological advancements that rely on these critical metals. The mine's design and projected efficiency could represent a significant advancement in sustainable and economically viable metal extraction, potentially setting new standards for underground mining operations in the global resources sector through its fully mechanized approach and shallow decline-access design that enhances operational safety and efficiency.

As global industries continue to evolve toward more sustainable technologies and advanced manufacturing processes, the availability of reliable, cost-effective sources of platinum group metals becomes increasingly crucial. The Waterberg Project's development timeline and production capacity could significantly impact global supply chains for these essential materials, supporting innovation across multiple high-technology sectors while establishing new benchmarks for operational efficiency and cost management in the mining industry.