Angloplat, the world's number one platinum producer, has revealed that the recent stoppages as a result of strike action cost them around 50,000 ounces of refined platinum.

Industrial action staged by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the Togetherness Amalgamated Workers Union of South Africa (TAWUSA) and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) had a discernible impact according to the figures.

The wage settlement and lower mining production as a result of the strike are also likely to impact unit cash operating costs for 2004, while total refined platinum production for 2004 is expected to be 2.4 million ounces.

The strike, which broke out after pay negotiations broke down and lasted for around 12 days, has taken its toll on the mining firm, but Angloplat did have some encouraging news regarding its smelting operations at the Polokwane smelter site.

The platinum number one revealed that the manufacture and installation of cooling elements is already "in progress", with management anticipating the resumption of smelting during the last week of November 2004.

According to Angloplat "current estimates indicate that it may not be possible to smelt all stockpiled concentrate by 31 December 2004".