Production at Zimbabwe's largest platinum producer Zimplats has fallen in the second quarter of the year.

The firm, most of which is owned by South African giant Impala Platinum, said that platinum production dropped from 22,338oz in the first quarter to 22,073oz.

Palladium production saw a similar decline, falling from 19,277oz to 18,654oz. Rhodium sales showed a small increase, however, from 1,992oz to 2,032oz.

A decrease in open cast ore tonnage and poor equipment availability were apparently behind the fall in production, the firm said. It plans to close open cast operations in the third quarter of 2008.

It also revealed that it is to install a pebble crushing circuit, which is expected to increase mill throughput by five per cent.

Revenue at the platinum producer shot up to record levels on the back of high market prices. It increased to a record $52 million in the second quarter of the year, up by $11 million.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd