The former BHP Billiton boss's son, Sean Gilbertson, said that Pallinghurst was "particularly" acquisitive at this point.

"We have a number of particularly exciting opportunities that we are in the process of pursuing," he told Mining Weekly Online, speaking from London.

"You should expect some news before the end of this year."

Pallinghurst was listing inwardly on the JSE to facilitate investments in the country, and to provide further access to capital markets to fund growth.

The company was not, however, issuing any new shares through the listing.

"Pallinghurst raised $169-million in August last year, and we do still have a portion of that left, so we're not under any pressure to raise funding," Sean Gilbertson said. However, he added that he had "little hesitation that, at some point in the future, we would certainly look at raising additional funds".

Asked when Pallinghurst might look at selling shares to raise capital, Gilbertson replied: "To be determined."

While the company was already listed in Bermuda, the JSE would be its prime regulator.

Pallinghurst bought the illustrious Fabergé brand from Unilever in September 2007, with the view to redeveloping the brand into one of the world's leading luxury brands.

It also bought a controlling interest in Zambian emerald-miners Kagem Mining and Gemfields, along with "certain strategic equity partners".

In November last year, Pallinghurst established a joint venture with Ntsimbintle Mining to explore for manganese in South Africa's Northern Cape.

More recently, the company signed agreements with the Bakgatla-ba-Kafela tribe to form a black-owned platinum investment company, following which it bought into Boynton Investments, of which Platmin owns the majority.

In a separate deal, the black-owned company bought 40% in a platinum property north of the Pilanesberg, called Maganazynkraal 3.

Gilbertson said that Pallinghurst reckoned that platinum was a "go-go commodity".

"We share the widely held view that it is a particularly good business to be in."

He also pointed out that both his father and Pallinghurst CEO Arne Frandsen had extensive experience in the precious metal. "So, it's one that we feel at home in."

On the mining sector in general, Gilbertson said that the current environment provided acquisition opportunities, and that the company had a positive outlook.

"In general, we remain bullish about the mining situation," he concluded.

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