About us
The International Platinum Group Metals Association (IPA) is a non-profit association that represents the worldwide leading mining, production and fabrication companies in the global platinum group metals (PGMs) industry, comprising platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium.
The organisation, founded in 1987, is based in Munich and holds membership meetings twice a year. Its working committees and groups meet regularly throughout the year. The association actively engages and collaborates in a strong network of partner organisations.
The major aim of the organisation is to act as a platform for discussion and information exchange between its members and with the outside world. Furthermore, the IPA serves as an early warning system for the PGM industry by monitoring legislation (emissions control, recycling, EHS, ESG requirements etc.) and industry related topics such as trade, health & safety, and sustainable development.
Mission
The IPA is a non-profit organisation representing the interests of the leading mining, production and fabrication companies of the global platinum group metals (PGMs) industry. We provide a platform to address issues of common concern and to jointly engage with stakeholders at the international level. Our Association represents over 80% of the global PGM industry.
IPA's objectives are to:
- generate and promote factual information on PGMs;
- represent the common interests of PGM mining, production and fabrication companies worldwide;
- encourage and assist continuous progress in the healthy, safe and environmentally sound production and processing of PGMs;
- define and communicate industry's views on issues related to PGM production, use, and recycling;
- liaise with other institutions of interest to the Association and its members; and
- monitor trends and developments, identify opportunities and risks.
Members
Exploration, mining & production
Recycling & fabrication
Partners
Eurométaux - European Association of Metals
Eurométaux is the Brussels-based association servicing and representing the European non-ferrous metals industry. It constitutes the interface between the European non-ferrous metals industry and the European authorities and international or intergovernmental bodies
The IPA is a member of Eurométaux and benefits from its excellent contacts to European policy makers.
EPMF - European Precious Metals Federation
The EPMF coordinates the EU REACH activities of the PGM, rhenium, gold and silver industries, and facilitates the interface between EU policy makers, regulatory authorities, and the precious metals industry on a range of issues. The EPMF operates within and under the umbrella of Eurométaux.
EPMF and IPA work together on issues of sustainability, science, and critical raw materials.
AECC - Association for Emissions Control by Catalysts
AECC is the Brussels-based association of European companies making technologies for engine exhaust emissions control.
The IPA cooperates with AECC on such topics as autocatalysts for clean air and demonstrator projects. Our recent joint project focuses on assessing the life cycle impact of the use of efuels/CO2 neutral fuels in a Euro 6d/7 passenger car as well as a truck, compared to vehicles using other fuels and powertrains.
Fachvereinigung Edelmetalle/ German Federation for Precious Metals
The German Fachvereinigung Edelmetalle is an industry association working on the national level. The FV EM represents the economic and political interests of the producers and fabricators of precious metals including gold, silver, platinum, and other platinum group metals (PGMs). The IPA is a member of the Fachvereinigung Edelmetalle and participates in the Sustainability Committee of the FV.
ICMM - The International Council on Mining and Metals
ICMM is dedicated to a safe, fair and sustainable mining and metals industry. Bringing together various mining and metals company members and national, regional and commodities association members, ICMM strengthens environmental and social performance and serves as a catalyst for change, enhancing mining’s contribution to society.
LBMA - The London Bullion Market Association
The LBMA is an international trade association, representing the London market for gold and silver bullion which has a global client base. This includes the majority of the gold-holding central banks, private sector investors, mining companies, producers, refiners and fabricators.
PGI - Platinum Guild International (Jewellery)
PGI is a marketing organization dedicated to creating, expanding and strengthening consumer and trade markets for platinum jewellery. PGI is funded by leading South African platinum producers and refiners. PGI is headquartered in Hong Kong and has regional offices in China, India, Japan and the US.
IPA and PGI exchange information relevant to both organisations such as sustainability and responsible supply chain related issues.
Activities
IPA works in standing committees and ad-hoc working groups to tackle issues of common concern and generate information relevant to the industry and stakeholders.
Security Committee
The Security Committee (SecCom) brings together security experts from the member companies to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and develop industry-wide solutions to the security challenges faced by members.
The SecCom provides a platform for interaction with law enforcement bodies on crime trends and modus operandi pertaining to theft and illegal trafficking of PGM-bearing material. SecCom frequently invites law enforcement bodies such as Interpol, Europol, and the South Africa Police Service to participate at its meetings in order to strengthen public-private-partnerships.
Health and Environment Science Committee
The Health and Environment Science Committee (HESCom) works to advance knowledge and understanding of the potential risks of PGM to human health and the environment, to support the risk assessment and safe use of PGM based on sound science. HESCom comprises scientific experts from IPA member companies in disciplines including PGM chemistry, Occupational Health, Industrial Hygiene, and Toxicology. HESCom regularly supplements its expertise with that of external global experts in specific fields of relevance to its activities.
HESCom has delivered a number of Environment- and Health-related projects. In particular, in relation to improving understanding of the risks of respiratory allergy in workers exposed to complex halogenated platinum salts (CHPS) and improving the ability to measure and control levels of these chemicals in the workplace. Considerable effort has also been expended on advancing knowledge of the chemical speciation of platinum in the environment, through the development and application of state-of-the-art analytical chemistry techniques, which have demonstrated that levels of CHPS in the environment are vanishingly low.
Sustainability Committee
The Sustainability Committee (SusCom, with sub-groups on Performance Assurance / responsible mining and sourcing, Life Cycle Assessment and Scope 3 calculations) serves as a common platform for exchange on sustainability and best practices in the fields of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) issues.
SusCom supports the IPA member companies in acting as responsible players through encouraging sustainability thinking and communicating activities and ESG performance to stakeholders. Within the SusCom, Members openly discuss their approaches towards sustainability auditing in the supply chain and jointly generate life cycle assessment data on the environmental footprint of PGM production that is made available to stakeholders.
Advocacy Committee
The Advocacy Committee, as a source of PGM industry expertise, engages with the EU as well as other national political institutions to educate stakeholders on the PGM supply chain and on the role of PGMs in the energy transition.
The Committee’s objectives are to define and develop joint positions for the PGM industry, to inform stakeholders about PGM applications and how they can serve the global energy transition, and to promote a supportive business environment for the IPA members to thrive in.
The Committee aims to influence the development of new and existing legislation at the political level by providing comprehensive information and promoting the economic, social and environmental contribution of the PGM industry.
IPA and the Advocacy Committee contribute constructively and proactively to policies and regulations across the following main areas:
- Supply and demand of raw materials
- Sustainability
- Automotive
- Energy and climate Change
- Chemicals management