Merger whisper for PGM miner

摘要

South African production of platinum group metals during 2004 looks set to increase over 2003's total -- thanks primarily to several mine and plant expansions making good progress during the past year. However, it now seems possible that at least one of the country's big three PGM miners could soon be a takeover target. Anglo American Platinum Corporation Ltd (Anglo Platinum), Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd (Impala) and Lonmin plc all look set to meet their respective 2004 production targets which -- on the whole -- should be higher than their collective 2003 figure. In its latest PGM interim review, London-based Johnson Matthey said South African PGM suDolies looked set to increase by 350,000 ounces (platinum), 250,000 oz (palladium) and 20,000 oz (rhodium) during the current year.