Valterra bets on China platinum demand surge
Valterra Platinum, the world’s largest platinum group metals miner, expects China’s push into hydrogen-powered freight trucks to increase demand for platinum and sister metals. The company projects it could add 6 million ounces a year in demand, based on capturing a fifth of the global heavy-duty truck market for fuel cell vehicles. South Africa, which supplies over 80% of the world’s platinum, ties its export earnings and job creation to Beijing’s industrial policy.
Why it matters: This ties into the theme of energy transition and supply chains, as China's hydrogen strategy could reshape global demand for critical metals and affect South Africa's export economy.