Implats suspends Rustenburg operations for safety reset

Impala Platinum Holdings has suspended mining operations at its Rustenburg complex for four days in response to an increase in safety incidents.

The Johannesburg-listed producer of platinum-group metals said on Monday it’s stopped mining from July 24 to 28 to “conduct a comprehensive safety reset.” About 51 500 people are employed at Rustenburg, which accounts for almost half of Implats’ total output.

South African firms including Implats and Sibanye Stillwater produce most of the world’s platinum. The biggest single consumer of PGMs are devices that reduce harmful emissions from diesel and gasoline vehicles.

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Implats reported four fatal injuries in the 12 months to the end of June and has recorded two additional fatalities this month, according to a company spokesperson.

The measures include workplace inspections, targeted trainings and a mass employee engagement session, Implats said in a statement. The company said it will also appoint independent specialists to conduct an objective assessment of existing safety systems and recommend improvements.

Read the Sens here.

An “increase in serious safety-related incidents” at Rustenburg this year “prompted the decision to proactively suspend operations and undertake the focused safety reset,” the company said. The impact on production will last about eight days in the reporting period which ends on June 30, according to Implats.

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