Platinum Group Metals
Used in catalytic converters, hydrogen fuel cells, jewelry, and industrial catalysts. South Africa holds the majority of global PGM reserves.
Where Platinum Group Metals sits among tracked minerals
Share of global output from the #1 producing country, across all 20 minerals PlainCountries tracks
59.5% 7th of 20 higher than 13 of 20 tracked minerals
Top-producer share of global output, bucketed by value
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more tracked minerals. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024 · 2023 data year
Global Production Overview
Production by Country (2023)
| Rank | Country | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 59.5% |
| 2 | Russia | 24.6% |
| 3 | Zimbabwe | 4.6% |
| 4 | Canada | 4.3% |
| 5 | United States | 3.8% |
Click a country name to view its full profile. Production share percentages are calculated from USGS estimated global production.
Why Platinum Group Metals supply looks concentrated
Platinum Group Metals sits in the high-concentration tercile of this 20-mineral desk, per the concentration figures above. Platinum Group Metals is a precious-metal row here: mine output is one input into price and availability alongside recycling and above-ground stockpiles. Used in catalytic converters, hydrogen fuel cells, jewelry, and industrial catalysts. South Africa holds the majority of global PGM reserves. Global mine production in 2023 was about 370 (metric tons). 5 countries appear in the table below.
The import-reliance figure above is mid-pack among minerals with a published reliance number. Track both the leading producer and the next two shares, not only the #1 row. Top-five share is 97% (South Africa, Russia, Zimbabwe, Canada, United States). On a high-concentration mineral, an outage or export curb in the leader moves availability faster than on a diffuse desk.
Next comparable precious metal on this desk by leader-share distance: Gold (~11% leader share). Cite USGS MCS 2024 (data year 2023) when you reuse any figure, we do not impute missing rows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country produces the most Platinum Group Metals?
South Africa is the world's leading producer of Platinum Group Metals, accounting for approximately 60% of global mine production in 2023.
How is Platinum Group Metals used?
Used in catalytic converters, hydrogen fuel cells, jewelry, and industrial catalysts. South Africa holds the majority of global PGM reserves.
What is global Platinum Group Metals production?
Global mine production of Platinum Group Metals was approximately 370 in 2023, measured in metric tons.
How reliant is the US on imported Platinum Group Metals?
The United States imports approximately 91% of its apparent Platinum Group Metals consumption, making it a strategically significant commodity for US supply chain security.
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024 (U.S. Geological Survey, National Minerals Information Center). Source: USGS National Minerals Information Center, data year 2023. Values are USGS estimates and may include revisions. US import reliance data from USGS.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.