Platinum miner Aquarius has announced that its Everest mine in South Africa has begun output.

The firm has also stated that it now expects to achieve full output at the plant at the Bushveld complex by the end of next year.

Chief executive Stuart Murray revealed to Reuters that the first concentrate from the Everest mine was shipped on Tuesday and production at the plant should reach 225,000 ounces of pgms in the next 12 months.

He also commented that Aquarius is confident that there are further resources around Everest, although he played down suggestions that the company would be looking to mine these in the near future.

"We'll worry about those things when the mine is up and running at full capacity in about a year," he said.

Mr Murray continued: "There are resources in the area, whether it extends life or gives rise to an increase in production, we haven't decided that as yet."

In November, Aquarius announced that its Marikana mine Pool and Share agreement with Angloplats had been approved.


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