Impala Platinum could be the subject of a bid from BHP Billiton, if recent speculation is to be believed.

BHP Billiton refused to be drawn on the issue and said it was "not company policy" to comment on speculation and rumour, Reuters reports.

But shares in Impala Platinum have grown on the back of the news after reports suggested that BHP Billiton would need to invest in the sector to increase its exposure to platinum.

If Xstrata was to succeed in a bid for Lonmin it would make Impala Platinum the only remaining platinum asset in the world, reports on Miningmx.com said.

But Xstrata's proposed bid for Lonmin is far from a done deal with the latter strongly opposing the advances.

Lonmin has described its future prospects as "outstanding" and claimed that Xstrata had failed to consider this when making its bid.

Source:



Implats soars on market talk of possible BHP bid, 14/08/08
http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnBAN429825.html

Impala Platinum could be a BHP Billiton target, 13/08/08
http://www.miningmx.com/commentary/714953.htm

Lonmin trying to resist Xstrata advances 08/08/08
http://www.platinum.matthey.com/media_room/lonmin_trying_to_resist_xstrata_advances_18722777.html