Eland Platinum has announced that it should be ready to begin work on its Elandsfontein open pit platinum mine in early 2007.

In a note to the JSE, the platinum miner said that work would begin during the first quarter of 2007, provided it has received the mining right from the South African department of minerals and energy.

David Salter, chief executive of Eland, told Mining Weekly that talks with the department are currently progressing "very well", with Mr Salter confident that the mining rights will be granted before the end of the year.

Eland has now announced a large number of contracts for the development of the new platinum mine and is confident that work will begin on the open pit operation next year.

Mr Salter added that Eland has a "highly aggressive" plan to put the mine's development on a "fast-track" once the rights have been granted.

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