Platinum exports boom amid record production levels

NEW MINE expansions are set to consolidate South Africa's position as the world's leading platinum exporter, according to the industry's official annual report, Platinum 2002. If all planned projects come to fruition, output in this country will exceed six million ounces per annum during the second half of this decade, according to a statement from metals refiner Johnson Matthey published in the report. Platinum sales from South Africa jumped eight percent in 2001 to 4,1million ounces. Now output is forecast to grow about 10% this year as more projects come on stream and production accelerates.