1. South Africa
South Africa is the biggest producer of platinum in the world. In 2024, it produced 140 metric tons, making up 74.3% of the global supply. The main areas where platinum is mined are the Merensky Reef, Platreef, and Upper Group 2 Reef.
Platinum mining started in the Merensky Reef in 1925, and it operated for nearly 75 years. The Platreef began large-scale mining in 1933 and is now the third-largest mine in South Africa.
The Upper Group 2 Reef started production in the 1970s and is currently the world’s largest platinum mine. However, production has been impacted by labor strikes, protests over mining safety, and political instability.
2. Russia
Russia is the second-largest platinum producer, with 20 metric tons mined in 2024, or 10.6% of the world’s supply. This is much smaller than South Africa’s output.
Due to sanctions, Russia has struggled to export platinum, so the government is building its platinum reserves. Platinum was first discovered in the Ural Mountains in 1823, and mining has been ongoing since. In 1935, new platinum deposits were found in Siberia, which now accounts for most of Russia’s platinum production.
3. Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is in third place, producing 15 metric tons of platinum in 2024, or 8% of the world’s supply. The country has three major platinum mines located in the southern part of the Great Dyke, a geological feature running through Zimbabwe. The Mimosa mine started in the 1920s, the Zimplats mine in the 1990s, and the Unki mine opened in 2010.
4. Canada
Canada is the fourth-largest producer, with 6 metric tons of platinum mined in 2024, or 3.2% of the global supply. The Raglan mine in Manitoba and the Lac des Iles mine in Ontario are the biggest producers in Canada.
5. United States
The U.S. is the fifth-largest producer, with 3.3 metric tons mined at the Stillwater mine in Montana, making up 1.8% of global production.
Other countries around the world contribute a total of 4.2 metric tons, or 2.2% of the world’s platinum supply.
