The South African mining firm Aquarius has announced impressive figures for the half-year ending December 31st with net profits increasing 332 per cent.

Executives from the company have described the results as "solid" with pre-tax profits rising from just over $4 million this time last year, to $52 million.

The rise has been attributed to a buoyant market with a greater demand for platinum in jewellery.

Stuart Murray, the chief executive of Aquarius, said: "A more than threefold increase in net earnings is a direct result of our unrivalled production growth and a firm operational performance, at a time of good platinum group metal prices."

The firms total on-mine production also increased by 36 per cent from last year.

There are hopes of continued success in the next half year with the company increasing production in a newly opened plant. Aquarius is also aiming to increase the interim dividend from the current one cent a share to six cents a share.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd