Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) plans to test a fuel cell-powered mine locomotive at its Dishaba operating this year.

"Hopefully by March/April, we'll have a loco on surface that will be fuel-cell based," Amplats market development and research head Anthea Bath told Mining Weekly.

While mine locomotives currently run off battery power, the test is designed to highlight the improved efficiency and productivity of fuel cell technology.

Amplats is the world's leading primary producer of platinum, a metal that is a key component in fuel cells.

South Africa is set to benefit from the expansion of fuel cell technology as the world's largest source of platinum.

In the UK, a new cross-industry scheme has been unveiled by the government to drive fuel cell adoption called UK H2 Mobility, while countries like Germany and Japan are pushing for greater commercialisation.

Ms Bath believes even a limited uptake of fuel cell technology in the energy market will spur platinum demand further.

Mining Weekly notes that Amplats is also looking at fuel cell systems for its own inter-mine communications and for miners' caplamps.

"We are working closely with the South African government to drive fuel cells as a beneficiation opportunity locally. The business case makes sense," she told the publication.

Source:

Amplats to test fuel-cell powered mine loco March/April (16/01/12)

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