30th Nov 2005 09:36
AQUARIUS PLATINUM LIMITED 30 November 2005 First Concentrate Produced and Shipped from the Everest Platinum Mine Aquarius Platinum Limited ("Aquarius") is pleased to announce the firstshipment of concentrate from the Everest Platinum Mine ("Everest Mine")yesterday (Tuesday 29 November 2005), one month ahead of the ambitious projectschedule.The Everest Mine is located near the town of Lydenburg on the Eastern Limb ofSouth Africa's renowned Bushveld Complex. Construction commenced in November2004, with the receipt of funds from Aquarius' landmark Black EconomicEmpowerment transaction with the Savannah Consortium.With the first concentrate now shipped, the Everest Mine is on track to ramp upto full production of 225,000 PGM ounces on an annual basis by end of 2006.Already, a 450,000 ton reef stockpile has been generated at the mine to assistthe start-up whilst production from both opencast and underground operationsramps up.Commenting, Stuart Murray, CEO of Aquarius Platinum said "First production atthe Everest Mine is a significant milestone. For Aquarius it provides both newgrowth ounces and diversifies risk as our portfolio now grows to fiveoperations. For South Africa, the Everest Mine is the first platinum mine to beconstructed with funds from a Black Economic Empowerment transaction andtherefore truly is the platinum mine that empowerment built."For further information please contact:In Australia: Willi Boehm Aquarius Platinum Corporate Services Pty Ltd +61 8 9367 5211 In United Kingdom: Alex Buck Nick Bias Buck Bias Ltd BuckBias Ltd +44 7932 740 452 + 44 7887 920 530 In South Africa: Charmane Russell Stuart Murray Russell & Associates Aquarius Platinum (South Africa) (Pty) +27 11 880 3924 Ltd +27 11 455 2050 or visit: www.aquariusplatinum.com ENDAQUARIUS PLATINUM LIMITEDRelated Shares:
AQP.L