Anglo American Platinum Limited |
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Jewellery
Transforming South Africa from a extractive industries economy to include value manufacturing requires a high level of commitment from business leaders and their organisations to address fundamental challenges of international competitiveness, technological expertise and market access.
Anglo American Platinum Limited (Amplats) acknowledges the need to support and assist government and other stakeholders in promoting the beneficiation of platinum. It has and continues to engage proactively on the Precious Metals Bill and on beneficiation offsets as per the Mining Charter. The company will consider any project or programme that makes commercially viable sense in addressing initiatives of adding value to the country's natural resources and creating jobs.
The South African jewellery strategy is developed from the premise that the Amplats's core competence is mining and refining platinum but will facilitate and invest in jewellery fabrication if deemed viable.
Overall, the objective is to promote the local platinum jewellery design and manufacturing industry in order to maximise opportunities and to add value to the country's natural resource in both local and international markets.
The company will, with relevant stakeholders, be involved in a range of activities in meeting the purpose above. They are direct interventions at assisting industry in improving its global competitiveness. The interventions are:
"The development of design excellence and consumer awareness by supporting a design competition, cooperative advertising campaign and retail training. Secondly, by assisting the industry in building technical capacity via bursaries, development of platinum studios and advanced training. Thirdly, by providing access to PGI/JM research and materials regarding markets and trends. Fourthly by implementing a metal financing scheme for jewellers to assist with the high cost of inventory and pipeline stock and remove the risks associated with price fluctuations. Finally, facilitating the development of commercial jewellery businesses in partnership with relevant business partners and government."
In evaluating progress three key issues will be monitored within the domestic market. Firstly by measuring trends in platinum demand for both local consumption and the export market of value-added items. Secondly, by monitoring the number of new entrants using platinum in their businesses and, thirdly by monitoring improvement in design and technical curricula at institutions supported by Amplats
