JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Platinum miner Impala Platinum (Implats) expects more than 20% lower headline earnings per share (HEPS) and basic earnings per share (EPS) for the six months ended December 31 compared with the prior corresponding period.
The company’s HEPS and basic EPS for the half year ended December 31, 2013, were 142c and 145c a share, respectively.
Implats said on Tuesday that the decrease was primarily owing to lower production from Impala Rustenburg, on the western limb of the world-renowned Bushveld Complex, in South Africa. Impala’s production was impacted by the ramp-up of operations to reach full capacity following the five-month wage strike during the second half of the financial year ended June 30.
The group’s production was further impacted by industrial action and safety stoppages at the Limpopo-based Marula, 73% owned by Implats, and the precautionary closure of Zimplats’ Bimha mine, in Zimbabwe.
Implats’ reviewed interim financial results for the period would be released on February 26.