8th Sep 2005 15:01
Anglo American PLC08 September 2005 DRAFT SENS AND MEDIA RELEASE ANGLO PLATINUM CONFIRMS POLOKWANE SMELTER SHUTDOWN Anglo Platinum announces that an explosion occurred at its Polokwane smelter inLimpopo province just before 19:00 on 7 September 2005. The smelter has beenshut down and a detailed examination has commenced. We regret to confirm that eight employees were injured by exposure to dust andfumes. While seven of the employees were hospitalised, four have been dischargedand three remain in hospital for observation. The extent of the damage to the furnace has yet to be quantified and it is tooearly to estimate when the smelter will return to production. A furtherannouncement will be made as soon as this is known. Current indications are thatthe smelter will be off-line for at least three weeks. Due to Anglo Platinum's excess smelting capacity, a consequence of its expansionprogramme, contingency plans to minimise the impact of the smelter repairs onthe 2005 production profile are likely to be effective. Prior to the shutdown,the Polokwane furnace was running at full capacity due to the re-build of number2 furnace at Anglo Platinum's Waterval smelter in Rustenburg. The number 2furnace is being brought on stream next week and concentrate currently beingsent to the Polokwane smelter will be transported to Waterval. For further information, please contact Trevor Raymond(011) 373-6462082 654 8467 8 September 2005 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Anglo American