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(Wallace Refiners) – Impala Platinum, a leading producer of platinum group metals (PGMs), reported today that the group’s tonnes milled at managed operations increased by 4% to 5.59 million tonnes during March quarter 2021, with higher volumes reported at Impala Rustenburg, Impala Canada, and Marula.
Milled grade was stable at 3.64g/t and improved recoveries and yield resulted in 6E concentrate production at managed operations rising 6% to 569 000 ounces. 6E concentrate production from the joint ventures at Mimosa and Two Rivers increased by 2% to 135 000 ounces.
The company added that the refined 6E production, which includes saleable ounces from Impala Canada, declined by 7% to 800 000 ounces, with the prior comparable period characterised by a material reduction in excess accumulated inventory.
Impala noted that production in March quarter was impacted by Eskom load curtailment, the furnace re-line at Zimplats, the start of scheduled maintenance at the No 5 Furnace at Impala Rustenburg and interruptions to third-party hydrogen supply at the Base Metals Refinery at the start of the period.
The group said it remains well on track to meet the guidance parameters on production, unit costs and capital expenditure.
Implats is a leading producer of platinum group metals. The group is structured around six mining operations and Impala Refining Services, a toll refining business. The company’s operations are located on the Bushveld Complex in South Africa, the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe – the two most significant PGM-bearing
ore bodies in the world – and the Canadian Shield, a prominent layered igneous domain.
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