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PGMs Save Lives Every Day In Medical Advances


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#1 goldsmith

goldsmith

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Posted 20 November 2003 - 07:16 PM

PGMs Save Lives Every Day In Medical Advances.

Platinum, with its silvery-white colour,
is probably best known for its use in
jewellery.
Demand for platinum in jewellery grew
by 9 percent in 2002 to 2.83 million oz,
driven by the rise of sales in China.

However, jewellery actually represents only
about 38% of overall platinum use and in fact
an equivalent volume of platinum is used in
catalytic converters, with the remaining 20%
being used in other industrial applications
around the world.

As a metal, platinum has some very useful
properties:
it is hard and extremely dense.
Indeed, platinum and its relatives, iridium
and osmium, are the most dense metals known
to man (platinum is nearly twice as dense as
lead and 11% more dense than gold).
It has a high melting point and high temperature
stability and corrosion resistance;
and it is a good oxidation catalyst, conductive
and oxidation resistant.

Despite substantial use of platinum inventories
by some US auto manufacturers in 2002,
demand for platinum by the autocatalyst industry
increased by 3.6 percent to 2.61 million oz.
Including stock draw downs, the underlying use
of platinum in autocatalysts increased
by 17 percent.


Most amazingly, platinum in certain compounds
can inhibit the growth of cancerous cell growth,
and because it is biologically compatible it
is an important component in many medical
applications.

It is no exaggeration to say that platinum
group metals (PGMs) save lives, every day
and in many different ways as the active
ingredient in pharmaceuticals and as key
elements in surgical technologies.

Medical advances that were once the realm
of science fiction are now science fact
thanks to PGMs.

Aural Implants :
helping the deaf to hear again
Aural implants to replace damaged or malfunctioning cochlears in those suffering from deafness,
by electrically stimulating the auditory nerve,
contain platinum and iridium whose electrical
conductivity, durability, biological compatibility
and oxidation resistance make them perfect for
the electrodes in the implants.

Cancer :
effective measures to counter a deadly disease

PGMs' role in the fight against cancer is twofold:
as the active ingredient in chemotherapy drugs and
in radio-active implants for radiation therapy (brachytherapy).

In the first of these, platinum compounds
cisplatinum and carboplatinum have the unique
quality of inhibiting the splitting and growth
of cancerous cells.

These compounds have been particularly successful
in the treatment of testicular and ovarian cancers.
More recently, palladium compounds have also been successfully tested.

In brachytherapy, implants are made of platinum
with the active ingredient of iridium isotopes.
These are placed directly into tumours, giving
a high radiation dose to the tumour while reducing
the effect on surrounding healthy tissue.

Parkinson's Disease :
relief for sufferers

It is estimated that four million people worldwide
have Parkinson's disease, a neurological condition
with a range of symptoms including essential tremor
(shaking) and rigidity.

The latest advances in combating this condition
are neural implants made of platinum and iridium
that generate an electrical impulse which
stimulates a targeted area of the brain and
reduces the shaking and rigidity almost
immediately.

Micro-precision surgical Tools :
safe and effective surgery
Ever more complicated and vital surgical
procedures require reliable, safe and effective
tools to ensure success.

The platinum-iridium alloy combines these two
metals' strength, durability and biological
compatibility to produce surgical tools of
exceptional quality and effectiveness.

Pacemakers and Implantable Defibrillators :
saving the lives of those with heart conditions
Pacemakers and implantable defibrillators
deliver electric shocks of varying strength
to the hearts of those suffering from cardiac
disorders, helping to effectively regulate
the beating of the heart.

Durable, conductive and biologically compatible,
platinum is perfect for the electrodes and
electrical contacts which are crucial to
these implants' functioning.

Retinal Implants :
advancing the possibilities for restoring sight

A good example of how future technologies are
becoming reality today is the advances in retinal
implants to improve damaged or deteriorating
eyesight.

The electrodes and wires in such implants
are made of platinum and iridium whose
electrical conductivity, durability, biological
compatibility and oxidation resistance make them
perfect for such a role.

Cardiovascular Stents :
preventing cardiac arrest and aneurysms

Stents are miniature wire meshes inserted into
blood vessels to reduce blockages and allow blood
to flow freely to the heart.
Because of their biological compatibility and
durability, platinum and iridium have proven
to be effective metals for making the stents.

And the latest advances in this technology
have used the radio-active properties of iridium
isotopes to ensure that the stents do not clog
and need replacing.

Furthermore, in a similar interventional procedure
called coil embolisation, platinum coils are
inserted into arteries with aneurysms
(potentially fatal bulges), where they prevent
blood from flowing into the aneurysm and further
weakening it while reinforcing the artery itself
to prevent rupturing.

Platinum contributes to the environment in a
number of ways.
As already mentioned its efficiency as a catalyst
is employed in motor cars, greatly reducing air
pollution and greenhouse gases.
It also makes a major contribution to waste
reduction as its durability and strength mean
that goods containing platinum are more reliable
and longer-lasting than those containing
non-PGM metals.

Industrial demand for platinum increased
moderately to 1.59 million oz.
Demand for platinum-based c atalysts from
the chemical and petroleum refining industries
increased, purchases of platinum for use
in electrical applications were marginally
down, while demand from the glass industry
was affected by less investment in new
manufacturing capacity.

Demand for platinum as investment products
remained about the same.
Sales of platinum coins and investment bars
are price-sensitive and demand weak during
the second half of the year as the price
increased.

And furthermore the high recyclability of PGMs
means they can be reused many times, thus ensuring
that their load on the environment is kept as
low as possible.

The first phase of Anglo Platinum's Polokwane
Smelter, which will receive concentrate
initially from Anglo Platinum's operations in
the eastern Bushveld, is already complete,
more than >$350 million has been invested
and further expansion is possible.

Job creation is likely to be substantial
from increased mining operations.

Estimates that 10 000 full-time jobs
will be created over the next five to
seven years in the industry.

Eersteling Gold Mine applied for its Section 9
permanent mining permission and this was granted
during April 2003, its situated within
trucking distance less than 20 miles from
the Rooiport Platinum Project and
the mill, infrastructure
and the Mine can be fitted for
the Rooiport Platinum Ore.

Additional Files
Map - South Africa -
The Barbrook and
Eersteling Gold Mines, and
the Rooipoort Platinum Project
Return to Production

CALVF is trading at $0.25???

It would be of no surprise to me
if the trading price of
CALVF would $25 per share.

The Anglo Platinum group is the world's
leading primary producer of Platinum
group metals (PGM's).

CALVF is drilling on one
Platinum target ANGLO PLAT. said is most likely
that the Ore-structure from,

Potgietersrus Platinum Mine
the largest -
richest in the world continue in
on Caledonia's land holdings...

Potgietersrus Platinum Mine - Rooipoort
Platinum Project...

http://www.caledonia...m/SABar_map.gif

Merenski Reef - Main Zone...

http://www.caledonia...com/RooiGeo.gif

Platinum $765.00/oz
http://quotes.ino.co...=15&a=50&v=dmax

Got Caledonia Precious Metal Shares?

The historic investment opportunity of
a lifetime is still in play.

For investors looking to jump on board,
you have a gift.

GOT TO BE IN IT TO WIN IT! and
WE ARE GOING TO WIN IT!

The Gold chart is very constructive:

http://quotes.ino.co...=15&a=50&v=dmax

Gold stocks will shine after bullion prices hit
a seven-year-high in London...

A GOLD SHARE BUYING PANIC IS COMING...

There is no way the little Gold share market will be
able to handle this buying without the shares SOARING,

***To The Moon Alice, To The Moon!***

CALVF: Oversold / Undervalued

http://www.contraria...m/Triangles.htm

..market makers brokers/mafia-shortselling -
makes life time opportunity in...

Caledonia's Gold, Platinum, Colored Diamonds
PM Hard Asset Properties for a bargain!

http://chart.yahoo.c.../c/calvf.ob.gif

mmm-shortsold 200 mil ++ ready to explode
Note. don't let mmm pawns distort or distract
you and don't missout of CALVF...

http://www.caledoniamining.com

The US$ fiat falling off the cliff...

http://www.house.gov...03/pr073103.htm

The US$ fiat falling off the cliff...
U.S. Dollar Index (CEC)
Weekly fiat $$ Price Chart...

Dollar Index Cash (NYBOTXY0)...

http://quotes.ino.co...=15&a=50&v=dmax

...lower highs and lower lows...going down hill...

...the fiat US$ & Can$ will only be
worth the paper its printed on?..

http://www.house.gov/paul/

Platinum streaked to 23 year highs*^^^^^
Platinum is the front^runner to GOLD

http://quotes.ino.co...w=15&a=50&v=d12

Long Trend GOLD to the Moon/ BULL VERY STRONG^^^^^

http://quotes.ino.co..._XAUUSDO&v=dmax
you will be on a wild goose chase, if you not
catch it before take^off^^^^^

$Dollar falling off the cliff...
http://quotes.ino.co...BOT_DXY0&v=dmax
its leave-right a rock, bouncing off every ledge,
goes down bellow water\.

The BULLS Live Above 200 Day Moving Average^^^^^

http://ichart.yahoo....my&l=on&z=l&q=c

http://ichart.yahoo....my&l=on&z=l&q=l

CALVF a PM Mine Finder...
http://ichart.yahoo....1y&l=on&z=l&q=l

CALVF has also found the kimberlite pipes
with Gem Quality Diamonds!

* Protect your hard-earned wealth...

* Caledonia Mining Corporation, on the start line^^^^^
* The BULLS Live Above 200 Day Moving Average^^^^^
* CALVF, Repeat The *Mirror Reflextion of 1993 -94^^^^
http://ichart.yahoo....my&l=on&z=l&q=l

* CALVF Gold, Platinum, Diamond TEAM DD..
* Caledonia Min. Corp. has more than 250 sq.km
* PM prime land within the Bushveld Platinum
Complex DD CALVF...
* http://www.caledoniamining.com
* Imo.Tia.Pass It Along>>>

(Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long; ST Rating- Strong Buy; LT Rating- Strong Buy)




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