Anglo Platinum (Amplats) is on course to produce 2.6 million ounces of refined platinum this year, the company's chief executive officer has said.

Speaking to South African publication Business Day, Neville Nicolau said that despite problems in the first quarter of 2011, the mining firm is on course to hit its annual target.

Last month Amplats reported refined platinum production of 533,000 oz for the quarter, up 19 per cent on the same period in 2010.

However, it was well down on over 800,000 oz mined in the three months to the end of 2010.

In a statement, the firm said the fall was down to "extraordinary safety stoppages".

Talking to Business Day at the World Economic Forum in Cape Town, Mr Nicolau suggested there would be no repeat of this situation, allowing production to return to full capacity.

"We are in a good position to refine and sell 2.6 million ounces this year," he said.

The mining boss went on to stress that he is confident that power outages which hurt production in the winter of 2008 will not be repeated this year thanks to work with electricity provider Eksom.

Source:


Anglo Plat on track to produce 2,6m ounces - CEO (05/05/11)

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