Impala Platinum is planning to increase production by about 600,000 oz from 2012 to 2018 after overcoming power problems threatening production.

It currently produces about 2.03m ounces of platinum per year and Executive Director Shadwick Bessit expects this to increase.

Power has already been secured for shafts 20 and 16 adding about 150,000 and 180,000 oz each year by 2012 and 2015.

Currently under construction, the shafts will be placed at Impala Rustenburg on the western limb of the Bushveld complex.

But production from other shafts could have been delayed due to the lack of a guarantee over power supply to shaft 17.

This shaft could supply an additional 180,000 oz each year by 2018 and negotiations with Eskom, that had previously produced no guarantees, have now been finalised.

Mr Bessit confirmed that shaft 17 had been approved and was under construction but there are lingering doubts over the Leeuwkop project.

Thought to cost about R3 billion, Business Day reports that construction will hinge on Eskom's ability to provide the 60MVA of electricity the mine needs.

According to reports from Mineweb, production at the Marula mine is also set to increase with Impala Platinum expecting to produce 120,000 oz each year.



Source:

Implats power deal to open new shafts, 05/06/08
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/topstories.aspx?ID=BD4A779460

Implats needs power to add 600,000 platinum ounces, 04/06/08
http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page35?oid=54179&sn=Detail