Amplats production volumes climb

Equivalent refined platinum production from operating joint ventures and associates of 182 koz was up 8%.

The group said that underground mining performance had been principally impacted by the intermittent illegal industrial actions‚ the national bus driver strike which had impacted employees' ability to commute to work and safety stoppages.

"This was exacerbated by the lack of flexibility in the current labour environment to redeploy employees to operations where there are skills shortages. Despite these events‚ equivalent refined platinum production at the Rustenburg mines (Bathopele‚ Khuseleka‚ Khomanani‚ Siphumelele and Thembelani) and Amandelbult mines (Tumela and Dishaba) increased by 6‚218 ounces and 5‚057 ounces respectively‚" Amplats added.

Mogalakwena mine produced 3‚626 ounces more than the same period in 2012 while new production from Twickenham mine was 1‚518 platinum ounces. Production from Unki was flat year on year at 15 koz. The positive contributions to production were offset by lower production from Union mines which was down 21% or 12‚527 ounces year-on-year for the same reasons as underground mining performance.

Production at Western Limb Tailings Retreatment (WLTR) increased by 3‚452 ounces or 29% largely driven by increased tons milled‚ improved head grades and recoveries.

Marikana

Equivalent refined platinum production in the second quarter of 2012 included 11 koz from non-managed Marikana joint venture which was placed on care and maintenance in June last year. On a comparative basis‚ excluding non-managed Marikana joint venture‚ operating mines improved production by 14 koz or 8% year-on-year.

Production at Bokoni improved by 25% year-on-year following the implementation of operational improvements while the conversion to owner-mining and a revised support regime at Kroondal resulted in a 25% increase in production over the same period.

Equivalent refined platinum ounces purchased from third parties increased from 15 koz to 16 koz in the second quarter of this year.

Refined platinum production decreased by 7% year-on-year to 582 koz due to three separate production incidents at the converting plant in April 2013 which resulted in lower output into the refinery. The incidents were resolved and the converting plant operated at steady-state level by the end of the quarter. Refined platinum production was up 33% on the first quarter of the year.

Refined production of palladium and rhodium decreased by 10% and 7% year-on-year respectively. Palladium and rhodium variances are a result of a different source mix from operations and different pipeline processing times for each metal.

Nickel production continued to be affected by technical challenges in the new nickel tank house. However‚ production improved in the second quarter as the company sold nickel in matte to a third party during the quarter. Anglo American Platinum sold 5‚389 tons of nickel in matte and 4‚134 tons of copper matte to a third party during the second quarter of 2013.