Fresh off their knockout first half, Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) announced on Monday that it plans to build the world's largest fuel-cell truck and have it operating by next year.

CEO Chris Griffiths made the announcement at an investor presentation recorded by Mining Weekly.

"We are screening opportunities to use fuel cell trucks in our fleet, and we think by this time next year we'll have the largest fuel-cell truck operating anywhere in the world," said Griffiths, who provided no other details.

Amplats announced today that its half-year earnings more than doubled, helped by higher metals prices.

A carbon tax in South Africa may be another spur to find internal-combustion engine alternatives. In April, Griffith said the tax could cost his company about $21.34 million over three years of operation.

Amplats is making the bull case for fuel cell technology. If automobiles go wholly electric, there will be no need for catalytic converters and platinum group metals. Fuel cells have some advantages over battery-powered vehicles: quicker fueling time and less weight compared to all-electric vehicles, and fuel-cell autos still require a platinum group metal catalyst.