Platinum Group Metals Ltd. Advances Waterberg Project Amid Global Supply Deficit

Platinum Group Metals Ltd. (NYSE American: PLG) (TSX: PTM) stands at a pivotal moment as research indicates the onset of sustained global platinum scarcity. The company is advancing its large-scale Waterberg Project in South Africa, an asset that could help address what analysts describe as a structural platinum shortage with consequences across the automotive, industrial and clean energy sectors. Located on the northern limb of South Africa's Bushveld Complex, the Waterberg deposit is designed as a bulk, mechanized, decline accessible underground mine with an emphasis on platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold.

The project contains large-scale, shallow, thick mineralized zones suitable for modern, low-cost production methods. The 2024 Waterberg definitive feasibility study highlights the potential for a long-life mine and production profile that could serve both the automotive and emerging hydrogen sectors. As deficits deepen in the platinum market, the strategic importance of developing new sources becomes increasingly critical for industries that rely on these metals. Platinum plays essential roles in catalytic converters for vehicles, industrial processes, and hydrogen fuel cell technology, making supply stability a concern for multiple economic sectors.

The structural shortage analysts reference stems from constrained supply against growing demand, particularly from the automotive industry's transition to stricter emissions standards and the expanding hydrogen economy. Platinum's unique catalytic properties make it difficult to substitute in many applications, creating vulnerability in supply chains when deficits occur. The Waterberg Project's development timeline and production capacity could position it as a significant contributor to global platinum supply when it reaches operational status.

For more information about the company, visit https://www.PlatinumGroupMetals.net. The latest news and updates relating to PLG are available in the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/PLG. The project's advancement comes at a time when market analysts are highlighting the growing disconnect between platinum demand and available supply, with some projections indicating deficits could persist for several years. This supply-demand imbalance has implications for pricing, manufacturing costs, and the pace of adoption for clean energy technologies that depend on platinum group metals.

The mechanized approach planned for Waterberg represents a modern mining methodology that could offer cost advantages over traditional operations. This could make the project competitive even in fluctuating commodity price environments. The joint development structure with partners including Implats, Mnombo and HJM distributes both risk and expertise across multiple entities with mining experience. As the global economy continues to evolve toward lower emissions technologies, the availability of platinum group metals will likely remain a strategic consideration for policymakers and industry leaders alike.