The company Tharisa PLC is a leading producer of platinum group metals (PGM) and chrome concentrates in South Africa. It operates in three main business areas: the PGM business, the chrome business, and the agriculture business.
The PGM business includes the extraction, processing, and sale of platinum, palladium, rhodium, and gold. Tharisa owns PGM mines in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa, one of the largest PGM production areas in the world. The PGMs are extracted from the ore during the chrome extraction process and converted into concentrates, which are sold to customers in the automotive, electronics, jewelry, and petrochemical industries.
The chrome business includes the extraction, processing, and sale of chrome ore for the production of alloy steel and alloy cast iron. Tharisa has a chromite-rich mine and a processing plant in South Africa that converts chromite into chrome oxide and chrome concentrate, which are sold in the global market.
The agriculture business is a complementary business area to Tharisa's diversified activities. The company operates a 10,000-hectare agricultural project in Zimbabwe, focusing on the cultivation of cereals, oilseeds, and potatoes. Agriculture is a key strategic component of Tharisa's long-term diversification strategy, aiming to expand the company's portfolio and develop the agricultural sector in the coming years.
Tharisa PLC also offers a wide range of products derived from PGM and chrome concentrates. Some of the key products produced by Tharisa include:
- Platinum products: Tharisa produces a wide range of platinum products, including platinum bars, platinum wires, and platinum sheets. These products are mainly used in the electronics and jewelry industries.
- Palladium products: Tharisa produces palladium bars, palladium concentrates, and palladium powder. Palladium is primarily used in the automotive industry as a catalyst for exhaust purification systems.
- Rhodium products: Rhodium bars and rhodium concentrate are also part of Tharisa's product range. Rhodium is mainly used in the automotive industry for the production of catalysts and as a coating material.
- Chrome products: Tharisa produces chrome finishing products, mainly used in the steel industry. These products include high-temperature and low-pressure cast iron alloys, stainless steel alloys, and superalloys.
In summary, Tharisa PLC has a versatile business model focusing on the extraction and processing of PGM and chrome concentrates. The company successfully complements its business areas through diversification and vertical integration. This model provides the company with a stable and profitable foundation, enabling it to engage in various industries and markets.
