South African utility provider Eskom, which supplies the country's platinum mining industry with power, plans to increase its stockpiles of coal to 40 days in the third quarter of the year.

The state-owned firm delivers 90 per cent of the country's electricity needs and must build up its reserves following a one-day strike by miners in July, Reuters reports.

"We are projecting to build to 40 days [from 36 days] in the third quarter. Because of the strike ... we will buy an additional five million tonnes this year to ensure we maintain our coal stocks," chief executive officer Brain Dames told the news provider.

Eskom is keen to avoid a repeat of supply shortages in 2008 that badly impacted the platinum and other mining sectors.

The utility provider has been under pressure to invest in recent years to meet growing demand for electricity from the country's industrial sector.

It recently agreed a deal with Platinum Group Metals Ltd to supply power needed for the miner's Project 1 Platinum Mine, which won regulatory approval from the South African Department of Mineral Resources earlier this year.

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UPDATE 1-S.Africa's Eskom aims for 40-day coal stocks in Q3 (25/08/11)

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