Palladium is a metal that is more expensive than platinum but has a higher density and strength.
Palladium is primarily used in the production of catalytic converters, automobile spark plugs, and jewellery. It is also used in the production of electronic components like capacitors and resistors. Palladium has been used as a currency since ancient times because it was rare and precious.
What is Palladium and where is it found in South Africa?
Palladium is a chemical element with the symbol Pd and atomic number 46. It is a rare silvery-white metal that does not exist naturally in its pure form. Palladium is the sixth-most abundant element in the Earth’s crust with about 5% crustal concentration. South Africa accounts for about 36% of new-line palladium supplies coming to market. Most of the country’s palladium reserves are found in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga.
