Platinum production dropped by 428,600 oz at Anglo Platinum in the first three months to March 31st.

This was a drop of 24 per cent compared to the first quarter in 2007.

Anglo Platinum said the drop in production was due to the South African power crisis that has caused the closure of mines and continually weakened operations as a result or power shortages and load shedding.

"Production in the first quarter, particularly of pgms and coal, was adversely affected by power supply constraints in South Africa and adverse weather conditions in Australia and South Africa," a statement from parent company Anglo American read.

"The ongoing impact of the constrained electricity supply is expected to continue to have some impact on production and expansion projects throughout 2008," a statement read.

Heavy rains that flooded the Amandelbult mine operations also caused a drop in production as mining operations were postponed.

But the firm did say that the mine would be back in full production in the second quarter of 2009 after dewatering was going to plan.

It also noted the effects of cuts in electricity supply which it expects to continually impact on the production and expansion of products throughout 2008.

But the firm said it expects production to reach 2.4 million ounces of refined platinum for 2008.

Source:

Anglo Platinum Quarterly Review and Production Report for the period 1 January 2008 to 31 March 2008, 29/04/08
http://www.angloplatinum.com/def_main.asp?Id=press/display.asp&Id2=187&Related=true

Anglo American plc Review and Production Report, 29/04/08
http://www.angloamerican.co.uk/article/?afw_source_key=38C3387F-1979-4917-A593-0434A44F31E9&xsl_menu_parent=/