Production of platinum group metals (pgms) increased in South Africa during the first six months of 2005 compared to the same period last year.

The first half of the year has seen a jump in output in the country which produces more platinum than any other state in the world.

There was an 11.8 per cent increase in pgm production during the period compared to the first half of last year, Reuters reports, with total production reaching 155.9 tonnes.

Larger sales volumes and a higher average rand basket price helped spur the increase in production in South Africa, but also led to a 1.2 per cent jump in total sales revenue for the period compared with 2004.

South African sales revenue grew to R16.6 billion, although smaller sales volumes compared with the second half of 2004 meant that total sales were 1.8 per cent lower than during the latter six months of last year.

However, pgm output was still 6.2 per cent higher than during the final six months of 2004, as demand for the metals continued to soar.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd