16 Jul 2010 15:30
AQUARIUS PLATINUM LIMITEDASX, LSE & JSE 16 July 2010 Instruction from the Principal Inspector of Mines
Aquarius Platinum Limited ("Aquarius" or the "Company") advises that its subsidiary Aquarius Platinum (South Africa) (Proprietary) Limited ("AQP SA") has received an instruction from the Principal Inspector of Mines in the North West region of South Africa to the effect that all mechanised bord-and-pillar mines in the North West region are to revise their mine Codes of Practice, and reduce all bord widths in their shafts from 10 metres to 6 metres. This will apply to AQP SA's Kroondal and Marikana operations.
The relevant extract of the instruction reads as follows:
"...all mining companies in North West region employing the bord and pillar mining method are instructed in terms of Section 9(7) read with Regulation 7.4.4 still in force in terms of Schedule 4 of the Mine Health and Safety Act (Act 29 of 1996) as amended, to immediately review the Code of Practice for the prevention of rockfalls and rockbursts in metalliferous mines, related mine standards and procedures to cater for more effective safety measures including but not limited to:
* Maximum mining bord width of not more than 6 metres; * Extraction ratios should not exceed 75 percent; * Supporting of prominent geological features by pillars; * Boxing of roadways must be towards one direction; * Orientation of leads and lags between headings must almost be aligned for the purposes of effective ventilation
Until such time that the aforesaid review is conducted, no headings/faces of more than six (6) metres bord widths should be advanced for the purposes of production. All mines employing the bord and pillar mining method where bord widths exceed six (6) metres must notify the office of the Principal Inspector of Mines on their action plans to convert to more safer and conservative mining parameters."
Aquarius is assessing the impact of these instructions, which may take some time. AQP SA is also urgently consulting with government and the other mining companies affected by these instructions. We will inform shareholders once this assessment has been made.
For further information please contact:
In the United Kingdom and South Africa
Gavin Mackay+44 7909 547 042In Australia:Willi Boehm
Aquarius Platinum Corporate Services
+61 8 9367 5211
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