Attributable production at Aquarius Platinum for the period July 1st to December 31st 2009 was up on levels seen in the previous half-year, it has been revealed.

Figures released by the company as part of its half-year financial results bulletin show pgm production hit 208,857 oz in the first six months of the 2010 financial year.

This constitutes a seven per cent rise on the figures posted for the last half of the 2009 financial year, although it is also 20 per cent down on the results for the six months to December 2008.

However, this decline can largely be accounted for by the temporary closure of the Everest mine in December 2008 and the unprotected industrial action at Kroondal and Marikana in September 2009.

Meanwhile, Aquarius Platinum CEO Stuart Murray is optimistic about the company's prospects in the second half of the year in light of the completion of the Mimosa and Platinum Mile expansions, the impact made at Everest and the integration and production increase at Blue Ridge.

"I am pleased with the progress made with the ramp-up at Blue Ridge, the re-establishment project at Everest and the outcome of the Mimosa expansion," he confirmed.

Aquarius is the world's fourth-largest platinum producer and has interests in six operations in southern Africa.

Source:

Aquarius Platinum swings to H1 profit, resumes div (11/02/10)

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