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PLATINUM MINING
Useful for Environment
Article # : platinum165
Useful for Environment
Over one-third of all platinum annually supplied to the international markets is applied in catalytic converters used to control harmful car emissions. The increased North American, European, and Asian automobile emission standards make auto manufacturers to use more and more platinum in catalytic converters and such devices as oxygen sensors.
Platinum catalysts represent an important component for fuel cells, an effective power generation technology combining oxygen and hydrogen in order to form water and electricity. Fuel cells are meant to become the environmentally friendly power generation source of choice, and the major source of platinum demand in future.
Source: watches.infoniac.com
Impala Mine
The Impala mine in South Africa is the second largest producer of platinum in the world. The mine employs over 28,000 people who work between 1,000 and 2,000 meters (3280 to 6560 feet) under the surface of the earth. The mine represents labyrinth of numerous tunnels covering over 65,000 square meters (700,000 square feet) of Bushveld Igneous Complex in South Africa.
Platinum formed under the surface of the earth in South Africa about two billion years ago. First, lava started to move upwards from the earth's centre. It did not erupt through the earth's crust but spread through the layers of the rock and then cooled. After the heavy sulphides settled in the lava, there formed two bands of platinum, presently known as the Merensky Reef and the UG2 Reef.
The whole site consists of 14 shafts, with each shaft leading to numerous tunnels, individually manned by teams of workers physically mining the ore during eight-hour shifts. First, they have to install wooden support poles required to secure the ceiling of the tunnels. Then, the workers mark off the holes for the rock drill operators who later pierce and blast the rock. The night shift cleans out the blasted rock, bringing it to the surface.
The Impala mine has mined 28 million tons of rock in the last 12 months. In fact, it takes 14 tons of mined ore to get one ounce (28.3 grams) of pure platinum. To produce one platinum watch, watchmakers require about 20 tons of rock.
Source: watches.infoniac.com