Since 1964 there has been a fourfold increase in the output of platinum from Rustenburg Platinum Mines, for whom Johnson Matthey are the refiners and distributors. The last big increase was announced a year ago, when extensions to mining and refining operations were put in hand to provide an output of 850,000 ounces of platinum a year.

It has now been decided to expand the rate of production to approximately 1,000,000 ounces of platinum a year, with of course corresponding increases in the supply of rhodium, ruthenium, palladium and iridium.

This decision has been made in the light of current assessments of demand during the next five years, notwithstanding the announcement by Universal Oil Products of a new petroleum reforming catalyst that will utilise platinum more efficiently for a given reforming capacity. This new catalyst will give higher yields, improved stability in operation and increased quantities of by-product hydrogen in the widely used Platforming process while it will also help in reducing the amount of contaminants in high-octane fuels which are contributory to air pollution.