The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is looking at ways to reduce electricity consumption in the domestic processing of platinum group metals and ferrochrome, in a bid to reduce production costs. IDC CEO Geoffrey Qhena provided information on the work under way to Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel, for a written reply to a parliamentary question by DA spokesperson on economic development Michael Cardo. Qhena said the IDC had participated in a feasability study "to advance the development of a process aimed at producing platinum group metals without going through the energy intensive smelting route. "This process recovers platinum group metals from sulphide flotation concentrates into separate solution streams for further downstream conventional refining. Unlike smelting, it is also able to upgrade low grade platinum group metal concentrates. "The feasibility study has recently been completed with positive findings confirming the economic viability of the process," ...
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