Aquarius Platinum could partner with Anglo Platinum to develop the infrastructure needed for its new Afarak acquisition.

The world's fourth-largest producer of platinum agreed to pay $109.7 million (£67.4 million) for Afarak, which has rights to two properties in South Africa.

Both the Hoedspruit and Kruidfontein projects are situated in the Western Limb of South Africa's Bushveld Complex.

According to South African publication Business Day, Aquarius executive for business development and communications Gavin Mackay thinks it could be easier for the firm to partner with Anglo Platinum given that they are already engaged in joint ventures.

In addition, the Hoedspruit property is well-placed close to Anglo Platinum's Rustenburg mine, he explained to the news provider.

Aquarius recently announced a 24 per cent year-on-year increase in platinum production in the three months to the end of March.

The firm said the rise was largely attributable to the re-commissioning of its Everest mine.

"Everest is the asset that we wholly own; it's very important to the company as it forms a large part of our production," Mr Mackay added.

"Once the mine is running at its forecast volumes Aquarius will have boosted its production by 40 per cent since June last year."

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Aquarius seeks partner for Afarak project (29/04/11) 

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