Northam Platinum has confirmed that three people have died in an explosion at one of its mining sites.

An announcement revealed three employees died in the blast in what was described as "a mining-related accident" at an underground mine in the Thabazimbi area in the Limpopo Province.

The incident happened yesterday afternoon more than 1.5km underground.

Northam says it is now investigating the cases of the accident, with the help of the Department of Minerals and Energy and the unions.

The blast has not had any impact on production, according to the firm.

Northam announced a massive jump in its headline earnings per share for the second six months of 2005 earlier this month.

The platinum miner revealed that its first-half earnings per share increased by 395 per cent due to a 25 per cent growth in output as well as high platinum prices.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd