South Africa could become one of the leading manufacturers of catalytic fuel cells in the world, according to its minerals and energy deputy minister Lulu Xingwana.

In addition, the high amount of platinum that naturally occurs in the area provides the metal needed for the catalytic conversion of hydrogen to electricity by hydrogen fuel cells, according to Mining Weekly.

The country holds the highest levels of world reserves of pgms and 50 per cent of production, with developments in fuel cell technologies offering huge potential opportunities.

However, Ms Xingwana highlighted the need for value to be added to South African resources.

She told delegates at the Department of Science and Technology's South African Hydrogen Economy and Fuel Cells Indaba: "Africa's mining has a future and one way of sustaining and ensuring that future is diversification through value addition."

Although the social and economic benefits of fuel cells are set to develop in several years' time, Ms Xingwana argued that it is important for South Africa to act on these opportunities.

Her comments follow a recent discussion by science and technology minister Mosibudi Mangena on the hydrogen economy and the fuel cells industry in the country.