Platinum miner Lonmin has announced a 10.9 per cent increase in production of platinum group metals (pgm) during the final quarter of 2006.

The firm has seen pgm production grow to 344,068 ounces during the last three months of 2006, compared to 310,120 ounces during the same period in 2005.

Lonmin's Chief Executive, Brad Mills, stated that the news means it is on track to produce up to 1.04 million saleable ounces of platinum in concentrate during the current financial year.

"Our sales forecast for the year remains around 980,000 to one million ounces of platinum," he added.

The figures demonstrate that Lonmin has managed to limit the impact of the fire at its precious metals factory last September, as the company is now confident of breaking through the one million ounces barrier by the end of the financial year.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd