19th Apr 2006 09:35
Lonmin PLC19 April 2006 Smelter Update Lonmin announces that the necessary repairs to the number one furnace at itsMarikana operations have been completed. The cause of the leak appears to havebeen an original installation error, which resulted in the failure to weld thebase plate of the furnace shell in the matte waffle zone. Hearth expansionfollowing the furnace rebuild in February created differential pressure in thematte tap block support structure which moved the matte waffles creating achannel for matte and slag leakage down the sides of the matte waffles. Repairsentailed the welding of the base plate of the furnace to the girders whichsupport the vessel, reinforcing the support structure in the areas around thematte tap holes and replacing the deep matte waffles and refractories at thesite of the leak. The smelter has been restarted and we currently expect torecommence matte tapping from the furnace on Thursday 20 April. An assessment of the impact on full year production is being completed andLonmin will provide an update on this with its half-year production statement on25 April 2006. Enquiries: Alex Shorland-Ball +44 (0) 20 7201 6060 Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications ENDS This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Lonmin