Sibanye-Stillwater (SBSW) said Friday it has partnered with the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation to research the creation of a radioactive palladium isotope from rhodium for targeted cancer therapies.

The partner organization will test the rhodium produced by the mining firm to ensure it meets manufacturing standards before creating the high-purity palladium, the company said.

The resulting radioactive material is currently used in localized tumor treatments to deliver radiation directly to affected areas while aiming to protect surrounding healthy tissue, Sibanye-Stillwater said.

A future phase of the collaboration will focus on developing additional nuclear medicine uses for rhodium along with other platinum group metals, it said.