Impala Platinum has announced plans to talk with Eskom about the possibility of sourcing extra power for its new projects.

The "call on power utility Eskom's premises" will be made by Impala Platinum at the end of the year with the aim of securing a power supply which would enable it to produce 2.5 million ounces of platinum a year by 2012, and 2.8 million ounces from then on.

Power has been earmarked for the further development of the Leeuwkop project and for the Marula mine, near Burgersfort, in Limpopo province.

However, should Eskom be unable to comply with the request Impala Platinum's Rustenburg operations executive director Shadwick Bessit has admitted that the sinking of the shaft at Leeuwkop might have to be delayed.

Despite this, Impala Platinum has said it is not considering generating its own power as a solution to the crisis.

Meanwhile, Mr Bessit has reemphasised Impala Platinum's commitment to being the mining industry's safety standard bearer.

Mr Bessit was speaking following the visit of the occupational safety and health (MOSH) best practice adoption system task force to Impala Platinum.

According to Rustenburg operations senior GM Pieter Anderson, the purpose of the visit was to discuss Impala Platinum's approach to safety.



Sources:

Implats to ask Eskom for more power for new projects (13/06/08)
http://www.miningweekly.com/article.php?a_id=135081

Implats creating safety benchmark for mining industry (13/06/08)
http://www.miningweekly.com/article.php?a_id=135080