Platinum plunged into surplus as inventories weigh
Platinum swung into a 430,000 oz surplus in 2011 and was unlikely to recover in
2012 as falling output from South Africa was easily offset by the release of the
metal from inventories.
Interruption to smelting at Northam’s Zondereinde
Northam Platinum says its smelting operations at the Zondereinde mine have been suspended.
Amplats to test first fuel cell locomotive
Anglo American Platinum has showcased a fuel cell driven locomotive prototype, saying the move forms part of the company’s efforts to facilitate the development of new PGM applications.
Implats in Canadian exploration deal
Canadian junior Northern Shield Resources and Impala Platinum (Implats) have signed an option and joint venture agreement for a northern Quebec-based project.
Platinum stockpile ‘halts’ price gains
A stockpile of 4.5m oz of platinum has accumulated in the global market in the past four years and will dampen any liveliness in the price of the metal, says GFMS.
Investors to buoy platinum price in 2012
Investment demand for precious metals in general would help support the
platinum price, although the Eurocrisis remained a downside risk to the metal’s
important industrial demand.
Aquarius plummets after another poor show
Aquarius Platinum had to contend with another quarter of wafer-thin or
negative margins at its major operations, again causing a slide in the
company’s share price.
Anooraq soon to be ‘Atlatsa’
Anooraq says it will proceed with its proposed name change to Atlatsa Resources, following the approval of the move by the TSX Venture Exchange.
Amplats makes small wins
Amplats has made some small gains during the first quarter of 2012, lifting
mining output and productivity levels after a grim performance the previous
year.
Zim severs more ties with Guptas
Veteran businesman Lazarus Zim has shed another tie with the controversial
Gupta family, withdrawing Atul Gupta as an alternate director on the board of
Northam Platinum.