In an innovative partnership, the state-owned South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) has joined forces with Sibanye-Stillwater, the multinational mining and metals processing group, in opening a new frontier for the country’s platinum group metals in the fight against cancer, reports News24.
The two companies will collaborate on developing a radioactive isotope derived from rhodium, a metal traditionally tied to emissions control and industrial use, and now being positioned for advanced nuclear medicine applications.
Central to the effort is palladium-103, an isotope already used in brachytherapy to treat localised tumours, including prostate cancer. The technique is used in precision oncology to deliver radiation directly to affected tissue, limiting damage to surrounding healthy cells.
Rhodium is treated in a reactor so that its atomic structure is altered to produce Palladium-103.
Necsa produces medical isotopes that are used in nuclear medicine to diagnose, stage and treat diseases, particularly cancer and heart conditions. Necsa’s products are distributed through specialised, regulated channels for use in healthcare and industrial markets both locally and globally.
Under the first phase of the project, Necsa will test and verify that locally produced rhodium meets the stringent standards required for radioactive nuclide production. This will include further chemical processing work to produce high-purity palladium-103, which could ultimately be deployed in more advanced targeted radionuclide therapies.
In a second phase, the partners will look at additional nuclear medicine applications using rhodium and other platinum group metals (PGMs) mined and refined by Sibanye-Stillwater.
For Sibanye-Stillwater, the initiative aligns with a broader strategy to diversify demand 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,” said CEO Richard Stewart.
Loyiso Tyabashe, Group CEO of Necsa, said the vision was to contribute to the next generation of precision cancer therapies and strengthen the country’s role as a globally respected centre of excellence in nuclear research, while “deepening South Africa’s sovereign capability in radiopharmaceutical innovation”.
News24 article – Sibanye strikes new ground in cancer-fighting metals (Restricted access)
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