Platinum mining firm Lonmin today announced record production figures for the first half of the year.

The South African outfit said that platinum production was up 12 per cent to 502,000 ounces, with total platinum grade metal production up 14.5 per cent for the period to 977,000.

The figures are especially impressive considering a smelter closure earlier this month knocked production back, leading Brad Mills, the company's chief executive, to predict solid figures for the full year.

"We continue to expect our mining operations to produce around one million ounces of platinum for the 2006 fiscal year," he said.

"In early April we shut down our number one furnace for 11 days to repair a leak. The smelter is now fully repaired and once again running at full capacity."

Lonmin's share price dropped by 0.6 per cent to 2,725 pence following the announcement, valuing the outfit at £3.9 billion.

The firm announced in February that it had declined an offer for a takeover.


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