Production at South Africa's platinum mines began to be restored after Eskom agreed to allow the mines 90 per cent of their normal power supply.

It is expected to take about five days for the mines to resume normal production following the cuts in power supply after a nationwide energy crisis.

The decision came after a meeting in Johannesburg with mining companies and government officials and Trevor Raymond, a spokesman for Anglo Platinum, said: "Now that we know what the authority can provide, we are looking at how best to work within that constraint."

Mr Raymond told the Financial Times that he did not know how much could be produced, or how soon.

But he told Reuters that the firm has resumed mining at full capacity on 80 per cent power although it is not concentrating, smelting or refining.

"Mining, concentrating, smelting and refining will be at a reduced level next week due to the 90 per cent power supply constraint," he said.

Meanwhile, Aquarius Platinum said that its mining operations at its Kroondal, Marikana and Everest mines were nearly operating at normal capacity.

Making a statement, the firm said they did not know the production losses but operations were slowly getting back to normal.

Along with Anglo Platinum and Aquarius Platinum, Lonmin has also been affected by the energy crisis and believes it could stand to lose about 15,000 oz in platinum sales.

The world's third-biggest platinum producer said it was in the process of restarting mining and processing operations following the power cuts.

Eskom's future is also in doubt after Public Enterprises Minister Alec Erwin said it was "inevitable" that Eskom would be recapitalised.

Speaking after the meeting with Eskom and the mining companies, Mr Erwin said: " If we were to fast-track some of the build programme, then a capitalisation of Eskom, in one or other form, is inevitable."

He said the matter would be an ongoing discussion and announcements would only be made by the National Treasury.

A joint sitting of Parliament has also been called to discuss the energy crisis with Mr Erwin and Minister of Minerals and Energy Buyelwa Sonjica also expected to attend.

Source:

SA mining resumes, but production uncertain, 29/01/08, 17:23
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/253b5a24-ce8d-11dc-877a-000077b07658.html

Aquarius says mining ops hit by power outages, near normal since Tuesday, 30/01/08, 3:59 AM ET
http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2008/01/30/afx4590612.html

Recapitalisation of Eskom 'inevitable' as capex plan rises to above R300bn, 29/01/08
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=125582

Lonmin loses 15,000 oz platinum in power shutdown, 29/01/08
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSWLB646120080129

Parliament convenes to discuss power crisis, 30/01/08 07:45
http://www.sabcnews.com/politics/parliament/0,2172,163341,00.html

Angloplat says currently producing at full capacity, 30/01/08 4:38 EST
http://www.reuters.com/article/ELECTU/idUSWEB350820080130

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