Impala Platinum 6E production declines by 6% to 780 000 ounces
Impala Platinum reports that tonnes milled at managed operations declined by 9% to 5.88 million tonnes reflecting constrained mining fleet availability at Zimplats and the reset operational footprint at Impala Canada. 6E milled grade of 3.74g/t benefitted from improvements at Impala Rustenburg but 6E production at managed operations retraced by 6% to 617 000 ounces.
6E production from the joint ventures (JVs) at Mimosa and Two Rivers declined by 9% to 121 000 ounces.
At Impala Refining Services (IRS), third-party 6E receipts were 13% higher than the prior comparable quarter at 41 000 ounces.
Refined 6E production, which includes saleable ounces from Impala Canada and Impala Bafokeng, was stable at 716 000 ounces. The rebuild of Furnace 3, which began in December 2024, was progressed in the period with first matte expected in early May 2025. Repairs initiated on Furnace 5 in February 2025 were completed as planned and Implats finished the period with circa 375 000 6E ounces of excess inventory (Q3 FY2024: 410 000 ounces, H1 FY2025: 375 000 ounces).
6E sales volumes decreased by 6% to 775 000 ounces, including saleable production from Impala Canada and Impala Bafokeng, with limited destocking of refined inventory to offset the impact of furnace maintenance.
Nine months ended 31 March 2025
Group production reflects adjusted operating parameters at several of our operations, headwinds to operating momentum from water and power interruptions in southern Africa and lower fleet availability at Zimplats. Tonnes milled from managed operations decreased by 6% to 19.62 million tonnes, while the average 6E mill grade increased by 2% to 3.78g/t.
6E production from managed operations at Impala Rustenburg, Impala Bafokeng, Zimplats, Marula and Impala Canada decreased by 5% to 2.05 million ounces.
6E production from the JV operations decreased by 2% to 403 000 ounces, while received 6E third-party concentrate volumes were 3% lower than the prior comparable period at 144 000 ounces. In total, the Group’s 6E production retraced by 5% to 2.60 million ounces.
Refined 6E production, which includes saleable production from Impala Bafokeng and Impala Canada, increased by 1% to 2.50 million ounces. The commissioning and optimisation of the Zimbabwean furnace and required maintenance at South African smelters slowed the anticipated reduction of Group excess inventory.
6E sales volumes increased by 1% to 2.55 million ounces, benefitting from additional sales of ruthenium in H1 FY2025.
OUTLOOK AND GUIDANCE
Despite the challenging operating environment during the period under review, Implats remains on track to deliver within the guided Group parameters for FY2025.
