The Platinum Jewellery Trust of South Africa is establishing a platinum design, manufacturing and training facility in the country's North West province, with the goal of increasing the availability of platinum jewellery in the country.

The South African jewellery industry as a whole, world number one producer Anglo Platinum, Northam, Mintek and the National Business Initiative (NBI) are all involved in the scheme.

The project is the brainchild of the provincial government of the territory and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

It also falls under the Millennium Development Fund, which is managed by the NBI. The facility will be sited in Pelindaba, and will produce platinum jewellery for local industry as well as countries in the South African Development Community and the international market.

NBI programme manager Wagied Allie said, 'because platinum jewellery is difficult to work with, it requires specific competence, which is the purpose of the facility.

'We are inviting the industry to make use of the facilities and to market under the umbrella brand that will be established. It is envisaged that a platinum hive will be created in the process.'