The Platinum Trust of South Africa could be set to expand its operations outside the realm of the jewellery sector, it has been reported.

The trust has launched a platinum incubator programme in South Africa which is designed to give South African jewellery makers better access to platinum for their products and to promote the development of platinum jewellery in South Africa.

It is understood that the trust is already looking to broaden the scope of the initiative to include industrial applications of platinum.

Gordon Freer, spokesman for the Platinum Trust of South Africa, told Mining Weekly that the group is considering expanding its incubator scheme to build on its success.

He commented that there are a whole range of uses for platinum in the industrial sector: "Platinum applications in industrial areas include the use in catalytic converters in cars to reduce exhaust emissions, in dental instruments and in fuel cell research."

However, he added that the industrial programme is currently "in its initial stages".

Ÿ Adfero Ltd