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Enacy Mapakame
Anglo American Platinum Limited’s local unit, Unki Mine’s PGM production increased 13 percent to 49 000 ounces during the quarter to March 31, 2020.
According to the group’s production report for the quarter, platinum production increased by 13 percent to 21 800 ounces and palladium production increased by 15 percent to 19 600 ounces on the back of improved concentrator throughput and recovery supported by mining volume increases.
At group level, total PGM production decreased 7 percent to 954 800 ounces against prior period first quarter of 2019.
Of this production volume, platinum went down to 440 900 ounces and palladium fell also by 7 percent to 303 100 ounces.
The declines were a result of shutdowns implemented in South Africa in response to curbing the outbreak of Covid-19. This led to a loss of 61 000 PGM ounces in the quarter.
The world over, economies are grappling with the effects of the pandemic as production time is lost as businesses implement lockdown as part of measures to limit the spread of the virus.
As such, a global economic recession is projected.
In addition to the negative impacts of Covid-19, load-shedding also had a knock on effect on production, largely at Amandelbult, resulting in a loss of 8 300 PGM ounces.
Figures from the platinum group indicate total PGM production from own managed mines decreased 7 percent to 560 100 ounces. Platinum production decreased by 6 percent to 257 500 ounces and palladium production decreased 7 percent to 204 500 ounces largely due to the Covid-19 shutdowns.
At Mogalakwena, PGM production decreased 8 percent to 282 300 ounces as platinum fell 7 percent to 121 900 ounces and palladium decreased by 9 percent to 128 700 ounces, primarily due to maintenance on the North concentrator mill, which impacted tonnes milled, as well as the impact from Covid-19 shutdowns.
At Amandelbult, PGM production decreased 13 percent to 167 700 ounces on the back of 13 percent decline for both platinum and palladium, which closed the period at 85 500 ounces and 39 100 ounces respectively, due to load shedding power outages in January and February, as well as the Covid-19 shutdowns.
Mototolo PGM production increased by 6 percent to 61 200 ounces.
Due to the impact of Covid-19 induced shut downs, joint venture PGM production, decreased by 10 percent to 188 800 ounces. Platinum production decreased by 11 percent to 83 800 ounces and palladium production decreased by 9 percent to 56 800 ounces.
Online Reporter