Anglo Platinum (Anglo) is to suspend underground production at its Rustenburg platinum mine for around a week to embark on a review of safety standards, it has been announced.

The decision to close the mine is expected to cost the company 15,000 ounces of platinum, with a further dip in the output of other pgm's also expected.

Losses incurred from platinum alone are expected to equate to a financial cost of up to R280 million for Anglo.

News of the hiatus in mining comes after five fatalities have been recorded at the site in the past two weeks, bringing the number of deaths at the section so far this year to 12.

Chief Executive os parent company Anglo American, Cynthia Carroll, said: "As I have consistently emphasised publicly, achieving a dramatic improvement in the Group's safety performance is an overriding priority in the programme of change that we are taking forward within Anglo American.

"We must ensure that our operations are places from which employees and contractors return safely at the end of their workday. The suspension reinforces our commitment to safety and makes clear that we will take the measures necessary to deliver on that objective."

The safety review is expected to begin on June 22nd, with production halted for between five to seven days.

Meanwhile, a consultation programme between staff to formulate safety policy is to be staggered over a five-week period to limit its effect on output and maximise opportunities for effective dialogue between mining staff and management.

Sources:

Anglo Platinum to suspend production at Rustenburg to address safety concerns, 18/06/07
http://www.angloplatinum.com/def_main.asp?Id=press/display.asp&Id2=168&Related=true

Anglo Pt cuts 2007 platinum output by 15,000 oz, 18/06/07
http://www.miningmx.com/platinum/975935.htm


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