PGMS Inc. - Platinum Group Metals Services . . . Managing and Tracking Your PGM Assets

PGMS_SERVICES

admin — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 13:55:42 -0500

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The Process

admin — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 12:20:17 -0500

The process of manufacturing a catalytic converter is lengthy and complex. After the part is defined by the engineering department of the Client, PGMS, Inc. will develop and implement a sourcing plan that provides the requisite amount of PGM’s when and where they are needed for production of the part. Based on this plan, the PGM’s are purchased from suppliers (mines, recyclers, etc) and consigned (or sold) to the catalyst manufacturer for use in the manufacture of parts.

PGMS, Inc. manages all pre-production activities (developing specifications, process FMEA’s and Control Plans, validation of measurement systems, etc.), production launch and regular production. Standard AIAG practices are followed, with modifications tailored explicitly for the catalyst manufacturing process. The catalyst manufacturer applies the required amount of PGM’s onto the parts and reports to PGMS, Inc. the amounts actually used (with additional pertinent manufacturing quality statistics) on a production Lot basis. Parts are then consigned (or sold) up through the supply chain, and the finished converters or hot-end assemblies are delivered to the engine manufacturer.

Platinum Group Metals in Catalytic Conveters

admin — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 21:40:51 -0500

Platinum Group Metals in Catalytic Conveters

The platinum group metals (PGMs) are key components in today’s catalytic converter technology. Almost all cars are equipped with catalytic converters which reduce vehicles’ emissions of dangerous exhaust pollutants.

An automotive catalytic converter is one of the several elements of an exhaust system that reduces the emission of harmful pollutants, such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The catalytic function of the converter will activate certain oxidation and/or reduction reactions, which transform these harmful pollutants into carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O) and nitrogen (N2).

Differentiation

admin — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 21:27:08 -0500

How is PGMS Inc. different from "full service" converter manufacturers?

PGMS Inc. offers a unique business process. While other companies can manage portions of the manufacturing process, only PGMS Inc. offers independent, end-to-end management and accountability of PGM assets. PGMS Inc. is the only independent company that offers full service management and asset protection providing transparency, accountability, accessibility and efficiency throughout the process from purchase of the PGM’s to receipt of the finished catalyst element, converter assembly or hot-end exhaust assembly. Key elements of our service are the rigorous tracking and auditing of the catalyst manufacturer. Physically auditing the catalyst manufacturer to validate PGM usage in the manufacture of parts is an essential part of the management of PGM’s.

Platinum Drops Most in Almost 18 Years as Investors Doubt ETF

admin — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 19:05:57 -0500

Platinum Drops Most in Almost 18 Years as Investors Doubt ETF

By Feiwen Rong and Danielle Rossingh

Nov. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Platinum slumped the most in almost 18 years in London, wiping out two days of gains, as some investors doubted the prospect of an exchange-traded fund being introduced for the precious metal.

Platinum, used in jewelry and car-exhaust systems, dropped when speculation about an ETF attracted skepticism that supply may not be enough to support a fund similar to those already available for gold and silver. So-called ETFs purchase and store metal, allowing investors to trade assets without owning them.

US Commodities: Platinum Tumbles On Liquidation

admin — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 19:02:48 -0500

US Commodities: Platinum Tumbles On Liquidation

NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- Platinum futures closed lower Wednesday when lease rates fell and liquidation occurred, while gold and silver futures gave up early gains.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, platinum has been the big mover in the precious metals lately. Traders have linked the movement to options-related activity and unsubstantiated rumors about a platinum exchange-trade fund. One day after the January futures nearly hit a life-of-contract high when they peaked at $1,289, the contract settled down $65.10 to $1,154 an ounce.

December gold initially rose to $635 a troy ounce but backed off to settle up 30 cents at $629.

Platinum producers not too keen on ETF

admin — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 20:01:44 -0500

Platinum producers not too keen on ETF

By Justin Brown

Johannesburg - The world's largest platinum producers yesterday gave the thumbs down to talk of an exchange-traded fund (ETF) due to the low liquidity in the platinum market and fears that an ETF could overheat an already tight global market for platinum.

Over the past two years, investors have poured $10 billion (R72 billion) into gold ETFs, including the ETF listed on the JSE.

There is also a silver ETF listed in the US.

Anglo Platinum's commercial director, Sandy Wood, said the group was not keen for there to be an ETF launched and such a vehicle would cause platinum stock to be locked up.

Platinum pares early gain to end lower, gold rises

admin — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 19:41:32 -0500

NEW YORK, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Platinum turned south to end lower on Tuesday, as speculation buying and stronger physical demand failed to hold momentum after the metal opened sharply higher for the second day in a row.

Sources said that speculation based on the launch of a platinum exchange-traded fund has become over-inflated, and the lack of liquidity explained the more volatile market.

NYMEX January platinum futures had soared as much as 4 percent to a high of $1,285.00 in earlier trading. It dropped $15.20, or 1.23 percent, to close at $1,219.10. Spot platinum fetched $1,230.00/1,235.00 an ounce, lower than Monday's late quote of $1,251/1,256.

Platinum Climbs to Peak Level, Shares of Miners Rally

admin — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 19:39:55 -0500

Platinum Climbs to Peak Level, Shares of Miners Rally

NEW YORK (AP) -- Platinum climbed to an all-time high on the New York Mercantile Exchange Tuesday, sending shares of platinum miners sharply higher.

The metal, which is more rare than gold, touched $1,402.50 an ounce in earlier trading -- well ahead of its record $1,335 an ounce set in May. The price of platinum for January 2007 delivery later came down to about $1,225.

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Shares of Montana-based Stillwater Mining Co. jumped $1.03, or 8.4 percent, to $13.31 in afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Canada's North American Palladium Ltd., which produces both platinum and palladium, saw its shares rise 37 cents, or 4.2 percent, to $9.20 on the American Stock Exchange.

Platinum prices hit 25-year high

admin — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 19:38:14 -0500

Platinum prices have hit highs not seen for more than 25 years, driven by growing demand for the metal in cleaning car exhausts.

Prices have risen nearly 130% over the past four years and now stand at more than $950 per troy ounce.

World demand for platinum is currently outstripping supply.

It is a key component for catalytic converters in car engines, and use is growing as pollution rules are toughened.

Russia and South Africa are the two main producers of platinum.

Those in the metals markets will have noticed the push into metals and I think we'll see more of that
Douglas McWilliams

Platinum prices hit record high

admin — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 19:36:01 -0500

The cost of platinum has hit a record high on rumours that a market is to be opened up allowing traders to speculate on the price of the precious metal.

Prices touched $1,402.50 per troy ounce on the London market, before falling back to $1,390. The previous record of $1,340 was set in May.

Platinum is a key component for catalytic converters in car engines.

World demand is currently outstripping supply and prices have risen 50% in the past year alone.

This is largely due to it being a very limited resource which has an industrial application.

Industrial downside

Russia and South Africa are the two main producers of platinum and its use in catalytic conversions is growing as pollution rules are toughened.

Platinum Links

admin — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 12:09:24 -0400

Other information sources on platinum group metals

Johnson Matthey's Platinum Today

Definitive platinum group metals information resource site with excellent background on supply and demand as well as price information.

http://www.platinum.matthey.com/

British Geological Survey

UK Government sponsored site providing information about mineral exploration, mining, production and trade

http://www.bgs.ac.uk

Platinum Guild International

diesel

admin — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 14:06:22 -0400

Another reason is that the world's going diesel. In the U.S., diesel sales have risen 40 per cent in the past five years and it's higher in Canada. In Europe, diesels currently account for 51 per cent of sales and J. D. Power expects that to rise to 56 per cent by 2015. In total, world market share is estimated to nearly double from 18 per cent today to 30 per cent in 2015.

The last major reason is the skyrocketing cost of fuel. There is a trend in the U.S. where SUV owners, who can no longer afford the price of gasoline, are setting fire to their vehicles to collect the insurance. Scary, but true!

platinum-containing gold

admin — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 13:42:04 -0400

Although platinum-containing gold artifacts have been dated as far back as 700 BC, the presence of this metal is more likely adventitious than deliberate. References to gray, dense pebbles associated with alluvial gold deposits were made by Jesuits in the 16th century. These pebbles could not be melted alone but would alloy with and adulterate gold to the extent that the gold bars would become brittle and impossible to refine. The pebbles became known as platina del Pinto--that is, granules of silvery material from the Pinto River, a tributary of the San Juan River in the Chocó region of Colombia.

SA autocat industry secures work linked to new-generation emission-control systems

admin — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 13:40:40 -0400

SA autocat industry secures work linked to new-generation emission-control systems
South Africa’s R8-billion-a-year catalytic converter industry has managed to secure some diesel-particulate filter (DPF) manu-facturing business.

This comes as the industry had last year not yet procured any production contracts for this emerging type of emission-control technology, which had a question mark over its long-term sustainability.

Catalytic Converter Interest Group (CCIG) chairperson Joe Armstrong says an undisclosed number of the five catalytic-converter coating companies in South Africa are now preparing to coat imported DPF substrates, in order to make coated soot filters (CSFs).

Theft of pgms

admin — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 13:33:43 -0400

Police close in on syndicate behind stolen platinum - 25th June 2004

The continuing theft of consignments of precious metals could be the work of a syndicate, with reports suggesting that the gang behind a number of platinum heists could now be nearing its end.

According to the Financial Gazette, a batch of nickel belonging to Bindura Nickel Corporation (BNC) stolen earlier this year has been recovered in South Africa, with investigations leading to a wider ring of precious metal theft.

It is thought that the syndicate has now been broken, with two Indian suspects under arrest.

The recovery of the BNC nickel is being linked to the 34 tonnes of platinum matte taken from Mimosa Platinum Mines in the same area of the country last week.

Product theft of platinum group metals

admin — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 13:14:13 -0400

PGM MINING GROUPS

Platinum production in South Africa is dominated by two groups of companies: Amplats (holding company Amplats) and Implats (holding company Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd). Amplats and Implats are the world’s largest and second largest producers of platinum, respectively. During 1998, they produced a total of about three million ounces of platinum.14 In preparing this report, both Amplats and Implats readily provided their assistance. A third important producer of platinum, Lonmin Platinum, was equally helpful.

Total PGM production in South Africa for 1998 amounted to 5.9 million ounces, 13 000 ounces more than 1997.15 It was not possible to obtain national production figures for platinum as distinct from PGMs. What is clear is that Amplats, Implats and Lonmin together produce a very high percentage of South Africa’s platinum and PGMs. Lack of more detailed information makes it difficult to attach a percentage to their total platinum or PGM production. The statistics provided in figures 21 and 22 below are based on information obtained from the above three mining groups. Even though they do not cover the entire national production of platinum and PGMs, they are as close a reflection of what is occurring in this sector as is possible.

Platinum Group Metals Price Bulletin - 4th September 2006 to 8th September 2006

admin — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 11:08:35 -0400

Platinum Group Metals Price Bulletin - 4th September 2006 to 8th September 2006

Johnson Matthey London Base Prices at 0800 hrs, $/oz:

Pt Pd Rh
Monday 4th September 1252 347 4650
Tuesday 5th September 1267 347 4650
Wednesday 6th September 1271 351 4650
Thursday 7th September 1263 353 4700
Friday 8th September 1245 345 4775

Platinum

As the US enjoyed their Labor Day holiday on Monday, speculator funds in Asia re-energized the platinum market, moving the price up $20 from where it closed in New York on Friday. Despite profit taking early on in Tuesday�s trading session in London, platinum was able to hold onto and improve on its gains, but, as the week wore on, with oil trading under $68 and gold easing back on liquidation, the lack of upward motivation put pressure on the price. As the week closed, a broad-based liquidation in commodities kept prices on the retreat as long positions were unwound and profits taken ahead of the weekend.

Platinum Group Metals Price Bulletin - 11th September 2006 to 15th September 2006

admin — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 11:07:56 -0400

Platinum Group Metals Price Bulletin - 11th September 2006 to 15th September 2006

Johnson Matthey London Base Prices at 0800 hrs, $/oz:

Pt Pd Rh
Monday 11th September 1213 321 4775
Tuesday 12th September 1207 322 4800
Wednesday 13th September 1180 310 4850
Thursday 14th September 1190 317 4920
Friday 15th September 1168 314 4940

Platinum

The market continued where last week left off with oil leading commodities in a sell off, and platinum being hit hard by fund liquidations, dropping more than $100 from last weeks high. Conditions were choppy. with prices dipping only to rebound as bargain hunters - a combination of speculators and consumers - made their presence known. These recoveries were brief, however, and under the prolonged selling pressure, platinum weakened to a 3 month low.

Platinum Group Metals Price Bulletin - 18th September 2006 to 22nd September 2006

admin — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 11:07:10 -0400

Platinum Group Metals Price Bulletin - 18th September 2006 to 22nd September 2006

Johnson Matthey London Base Prices at 0800 hrs, $/oz:

Pt Pd Rh
Monday 18th September 1162 313 4940
Tuesday 19th September 1164 316 4940
Wednesday 20th September 1144 308 4940
Thursday 21st September 1131 308 4900
Friday 22nd September 1144 313 4875

Platinum

The markets were relatively quiet at the start of the week in keeping with "Respect the Aged" day which meant some Asian markets were closed. Platinum traded sideways initially but, along with other metals, moved sharply lower mid week. Hedge funds have taken sharp losses in the energy sector, primarily in natural gas and oil (which was trading below $61 this week) and large positions in metals have been unloaded into the market to generate cash. Support levels were broken and buying support all but disappeared . . . Until Friday, that is, when metals rebounded, finding strength from a weakened US dollar and an improving oil price. As gold moved above $590, support spilled over to platinum and fund and consumer buying lifted prices higher.

Platinum Group Metals Price Bulletin - 25th September 2006 to 29th September 2006

admin — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 11:06:30 -0400

Platinum Group Metals Price Bulletin - 25th September 2006 to 29th September 2006

Johnson Matthey London Base Prices at 0800 hrs, $/oz:

Pt Pd Rh
Monday 25th September 1140 319 4835
Tuesday 26th September 1134 319 4800
Wednesday 27th September 1141 320 4800
Thursday 28th September 1152 323 4800
Friday 29th September 1149 323 4800

Platinum

With pgm traders in New York for NYMEX week it was left to the oil prices to direct events. Iran were reported to be have said they will open talks on their nuclear program, resulting in the oil price falling below $60 per barrel for the first time in 6 months. This was the sign for commodities to move lower and, in very quiet trading, platinum followed obediently. Trader and analyst speculation that OPEC may act to prop up pricing reversed the trend mid week, however, and, as oil broke $60, it pulled precious metals along for the ride. On Wednesday a late platinum rally in New York followed through when the market opened in Asia and moved the price $10 higher. Crude made it to $63 before inventories were reported as being higher than average and as it fell so did gold and platinum.

Platinum Demand by Application

admin — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 11:04:23 -0400

Platinum Demand by Application
Source: Johnson Matthey, Platinum 2005

In 2004, demand for platinum edged up by less than 1 per cent for the second year in succession, increasing by just 50,000 oz to 6.58 million oz.

Purchases of platinum for use in autocatalysts jumped by 240,000 oz to a new high of 3.51 million oz in 2004. European autocatalyst demand for platinum again grew strongly and reached a new high of 1,66 million oz. This rising demand was powered by higher diesel car sales and tightening diesel emissions limits. In contrast to all other major vehicle manufacturing regions, the North American auto industry purchased less platinum in 2004 than the year before. The major auto makers in the region continued to reduce their use of the metal, preferring to adopt palladium-based autocatalyst systems on new models.

The Platinum Group Metals (PGM) commonly occur together

admin — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 10:57:29 -0400

The Platinum Group Metals (PGM) commonly occur together in nature and are among the scarcest of the metallic elements.
Along with gold and silver, they are known as precious or noble metals. They occur as native alloys in placer deposits or, more commonly, in lode deposits associated with nickel and copper.
Nearly all of the world's supply of these metals are extracted from lode deposits in four countries--the Republic of South Africa, the U.S.S.R., Canada, and the United States. The Republic of South Africa is the only country that produces all six PGM in substantial quantities.

The Platinum group metals (PGM) comprise six closely related metals:

Three Decades of the Catalytic Converter

admin — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 10:54:51 -0400

The platinum group or platinum metals is the collective name sometimes used for six chemical elements within the periodic table. These elements are all transition metals, lying in the d-block (groups 8, 9, and 10, periods 5 and 6 - in Mendeleev's original table, this area was called "Group VIII").

The six platinum metals are: ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, and platinum. They have similar physical and chemical properties, and tend to occur together in the same mineral deposits.
Naturally occurring platinum and platinum-rich alloys have been known for a long time. Though the metal was used by pre-Columbian peoples, the first European reference to platinum appears in 1557 in the writings of the Italian humanist Julius Caesar Scaliger (1484-1558) as a description of a mysterious metal found in Central American mines between Darién (Panama) and Mexico ("up until now impossible to melt by any of the Spanish arts").

Platinum Group Metals Database Launched

admin — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 10:51:07 -0400

25/10/2004 - Platinum Group Metals Database Launched - The most comprehensive collection of data on the properties of platinum group metals and their alloys ever published

FRANKFURT, GERMANY ─ This October marks the launch of the Platinum Group Metals (PGM) Database, the most comprehensive collection of physical, mechanical and chemical data for the platinum group metals (platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium and osmium) and their alloys. The PGM Database, a fully searchable Web-based resource, contains more than 400 alloys and is illustrated with more than 1000 diagrams and graphs and over 9000 referenced numerical data points.

The Platinum Group Metals (PGM) industry and nanotechnology

admin — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 10:50:12 -0400

09/03/2005 - The Platinum Group Metals (PGM) industry and nanotechnology

FRANKFURT, GERMANY - Today’s “nanotechnology” is an engineering process that has actually existed within the platinum group metals industry for several decades. The "buzzword" nanotechnology is loosely defined as the purposeful creation of structures 100 nanometres in size or smaller, according to the American Institute of Physics.

A prime example of engineering already using nanotechnology is the catalytic converter. For years now, since its introduction to the automobile market in 1974, researchers have been working successfully at the molecular level to achieve improvements in the efficiency and use of the platinum group metals (specifically platinum, palladium and or rhodium) in the catalytic converter.

platinum group metals properties

admin — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 10:48:17 -0400

Naturally occurring platinum and platinum-rich alloys have been known for a long time. The Spaniards named the metal " platina, " or little silver, when they first encountered it in Colombia. They regarded platinum as an unwanted impurity in the silver they were mining.

The catalytic properties of the six platinum group metals (PGM)– iridium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, and ruthenium – are outstanding. Platinum's wear and tarnish resistance characteristics are well suited for making fine jewelry. Other distinctive properties include resistance to chemical attack, excellent high-temperature characteristics, and stable electrical properties.

Platinum Group Metals Adds PGM Ounces

admin — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 10:46:42 -0400

Vancouver/Johannesburg October 19, 2005... Platinum Group Metals Ltd. ("PTM") (TSX: PTM, OTCBB: PTMQF) announced today an independent resource calculation on its War Springs property, located on the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex in South Africa, including information on a new deposit type with potential for low cost bulk mining.

The independent report confirmed an inferred resource of 980,000 ounces of platinum, palladium, and gold (29.6 M tonnes grading 1.03 g/t 2PGE+Au (0.31 g/t Pt, 0.63 g/t Pd, 0.09 g/t Au), 0.13% Nickel, 0.11% Copper with strong evidence of resource continuity. PTM holds a 70% interest in the War Springs property.

Increase in Platinum Resources and Resource Confidence Readies Western Bushveld Joint Venture Platinum Project for Pre-feasibili

admin — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 10:45:20 -0400

Vancouver/Johannesburg September 21, 2006... Platinum Group Metals Ltd. announced today a 116% increase in Indicated Resources on its Western Bushveld Joint Venture (WBJV) from 2.573 million ounces to 5.546 million ounces in the Indicated 4E (platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold) category for the initial project area. In addition the resource calculation includes a new Measured Resource of 0.744 million ounces 4E.

The updated Measured and Indicated Resource base totalling an estimated 6.290 million ounces 4E will be used in the Pre-feasibility Study which is expected to be delivered by the independent engineers in October 2006. The updated Inferred Resource estimate of 2.006 million ounces, which is not included in the Pre-feasibility Study, represents future opportunity and could enhance any implemented mining profile.

Platinum Group Metals Ltd. Completes Exploration Requirement Early

admin — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 10:43:57 -0400

Vancouver, BC, Johannesburg, South Africa, April 10, 2006 -- Platinum Group Metals (TSX:PTM) announced today that it has completed its required 35 million Rand (approximately US$5.8 M) project expenditure in the Western Bushveld Joint Venture more than three years ahead of schedule. PTM (37%), Anglo Platinum (37%) and Africa Wide Mining (26%) have approved a 30.9M Rand (US$5.0 M) 2006 budget, which includes 40,000 metres of drilling and engineering work with the target of completing a bankable feasibility study.

"Over the past fourteen months we have accelerated the Western Bushveld Joint Venture due to the successful delineation of near-surface resources, as announced March 2, 2006," said R. Michael Jones, President. "In conjunction with our JV partners, we have been able to move the project forward quickly towards a feasibility study."