Sep 12 2005
Anglo Platinum has announced that an explosion occurred at its Polokwane smelter in Limpopo province just before 19:00 on 7 September 2005. The smelter has been shut down and a detailed examination has commenced.
We regret to confirm that eight employees were injured by exposure to dust and fumes. While seven of the employees were hospitalised, four have been discharged and three remain in hospital for observation.
The extent of the damage to the furnace has yet to be quantified and it is too early to estimate when the smelter will return to production. A further announcement will be made as soon as this is known. Current indications are that the smelter will be off-line for at least three weeks.
Due to Anglo Platinum’s excess smelting capacity, a consequence of its expansion programme, contingency plans to minimise the impact of the smelter repairs on the 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 number 2 furnace at Anglo Platinum’s Waterval smelter in Rustenburg. The number 2 furnace is being brought on stream next week and concentrate currently being sent to the Polokwane smelter will be transported to Waterval.
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