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Two deaths in third quarter - Amplats

Johannesburg - Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) [JSE:AMS] had two fatalities at its operations in the third quarter of 2014, the company said in its production report released on Thursday.

The deaths occurred on August 15 at its Thembelani mine, and on September 11 at its Dishaba mine, Amplats said.

It was investigating the deaths.

The lost-time injury frequency rate at managed operations for the year-to-date September 2014 was 0.64 per 20 000 hours worked, 41% lower compared with the same period in 2013.

Total equivalent refined platinum production - equivalent ounces are mined ounces expressed as refined ounces - decreased by 14% to 533 000 ounces, compared to 623 000 ounces in the third quarter of 2013.

The year-to-date ounce production loss as a result of the platinum strike and subsequent ramp-up amounted to 532,000 ounces. The strike accounted for 424 000 ounces and the ramp-up for 108 000 ounces.

Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union members at Amplats, Lonmin [JSE:LON] and Impala Platinum [JSE:IMP] downed tools on January 23, demanding a R12 500 basic monthly salary.

The strike ended on June 24 when they accepted a three-year wage deal that would increase salaries by R1000 in the first and second year and R950 in the third year.

The company said: "Rustenburg, Union and Amandelbult mines successfully returned to normal production during the quarter, however, output was 98 koz (thousand ounces) or 34 percent lower at 192 koz.

"This was as a result of the ramp-up following the conclusion of the strike contributing 92 koz and planned lower production from Rustenburg and Union following the restructuring."

Refined platinum production decreased 31% to 460 000 ounces due to lower mined supply and the build-up in pipeline inventory following the drawdown on inventories during the strike.

Sales volumes declined over the prior year due to a reduction in refined metal produced following the strike.

"Preparations for the sale of Union mine and concentrator have been finalised and the sale process has commenced."

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