JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Mining and metals company Sibanye-Stillwater and the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (Necsa) on Friday announced their research collaboration to advance nuclear medicine for cancer treatment.

This followed Sibanye-Stillwater’s announcement on Thursday that it is partnering with precious metals and technology company Heraeus in a joint research and development project aimed at developing a generation of innovative, cost-efficient glass fibre bushings.

Earlier this year, Sibanye-Stillwater also co-launched a new programme to develop innovative technologies that are enabled by platinum group metals (PGMs) together with Valterra Platinum and technology provider Johnson Matthey.

The aim of Sibanye-Stillwater’s latest collaboration with Necsa is to advance the development of a radioactive palladium isotope derived from rhodium for use in targeted radionuclide therapy.

The radioactive isotope palladium-103 (Pd-103) is currently used in Brachytherapy to treat localised tumours, including prostate cancer, by delivering radiation directly to the affected area, thereby limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

Rhodium is a PGM produced and refined by Sibanye-Stillwater at its South African operations.

Under the first phase of the project, Necsa will test and verify that the rhodium meets radionuclide production standards and will conduct further chemical work, including the production of high-purity Pd-103, which could eventually be used in targeted radionuclide therapy.

The second phase of the project will see the parties collaborate on developing other nuclear medicine applications using rhodium and other PGMs produced by Sibanye-Stillwater. PGMs are already used in a range of medical applications, including diagnostic imaging and medical devices.

“This collaboration brings together complementary strengths to advance research in nuclear medicine, while deepening South Africa’s sovereign capability in radiopharmaceutical innovation," Necsa group CEO Loyiso Tyabashe pointed out.

“Our vision is not only to contribute to the next generation of precision cancer therapies, but also to strengthen the country’s role as a globally respected centre of excellence in nuclear research,” Tyabashe added.

The collaboration with Necsa reinforces Sibanye-Stillwater’s philosophy to invest in research and development (R&D) opportunities to find new applications for its metals.

“Supporting advancements in healthcare through the potential use of our rhodium in nuclear medicine aligns strongly with our purpose to create a better future for people and planet through our metals,” Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Dr Richard Stewart stated in a media release to Mining Weekly.

Necsa is mandated to develop, utilise, and manage nuclear technology for national and regional socioeconomic development through applied R&D, commercial applications and skills development in science and technology.

Sibanye-Stillwater is a producer and refiner of platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium and ruthenium, gold, nickel, chrome, copper, silver, cobalt, zinc and battery metals and has increased its presence in the circular economy by expanding its recycling and secondary-mining exposure globally.