By: Africa mining market

Africa is a key player in the global platinum group metals (PGM) supply chain, which supports industries critical to global economies. For the African mining industry to reach its full potential, producers and traders must adopt advanced testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) services that enable smarter, more efficient, and sustainable mining.

Jonas Kamonere, Regional Business Development Manager at Alfred H Knight, unpacks how advanced analytical capabilities and data-led insights are supporting Africa’s PGM sector.

Unlocking complex ores with Multi-element analysis

African PGM ores are complex, containing trace amounts of precious and base metals, however, traditional analysis often fails to fully capture their economic potential.

Advanced multi-element analysis, including four-element and six-element PGM analysis, and techniques such as Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), can detect metals like chromium, rhodium, ruthenium, and iridium at ultra-trace levels, critical for optimising metallurgical planning and unlocking value.

“In South Africa and Zimbabwe, TIC partners who invest in advanced technologies for onsite laboratories and metallurgical services play a key role in improving turnaround times, driving real-time decision-making and reducing inefficiencies. Such partners assist companies enhance recovery, improve process efficiency and minimise tailings losses,” he explains.

Data-driven solutions to industry challenges

“The PGM industry continues to face operational challenges, from inconsistent ore quality and high processing costs to low recovery rates. These are, at their core, data challenges,” he says.

By generating accurate, real-time mineral data, advanced testing techniques help producers make informed decisions on-site. Reliable insights allow operators to:

• Predict processing performance
• Optimise extraction strategies
• Reduce downtime
• Maintain consistent product quality
• Operate leaner, more efficiently

These same insights also strengthen the case for local downstream investments, such as refining capacity.

Supporting ESG through independent verification

African miners are under increasing pressure to demonstrate responsible operations throughout the value chain due to growing demands for ethical sourcing and environmental compliance.

“Independent TIC services improve Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting by ensuring sampling integrity, analytical accuracy, and process control, promoting regulatory compliance and trust with international buyers and stakeholders,” says Kamonere.

Where to from here: From compliance to the role of TIC in strategy

TIC services are now focused on unlocking insights that drive operational and strategic value, enabling PGM producers to navigate complexity, volatility, and transformation, reshaping recovery efficiency and investor confidence. “For TIC providers, this is an opportunity to go beyond compliance and provide meaningful insights that improve outcomes across the supply chain,” he says.

Reflecting on the role played by TIC players in the region, Maxime Francois, the Regional General Manager for Alfred H Knight Africa & Middle East, further noted that, “at AHK, we are fully client-focused and committed to demonstrating how we can continuously add value. We are also developing new laboratory methods to better support our PGM clients in South Africa and Zimbabwe.”

Indeed, the continent’s future in PGMs will be determined by its ability to pair its minerals with cutting-edge analytical expertise. “By supporting smarter, more transparent and efficient mining, TIC companies such as Alfred H Knight help ensure the long-term sustainability and profitability of the industry,” he concludes.