JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 14, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Shareholders are advised that Implats' headline earnings per share for the full year ending 30 June 2006 are still expected to be 20 - 30% higher than that of the last financial year as announced at the interim results in February 2006. This is lower than market expectation as a result of lower than anticipated production.
Despite record production from the Impala Lease Area, its production was lower than expected due to a combination of grade problems, slower improvements in mining efficiencies and three lost production shifts due to COSATU national stayaways. This was compounded by lower than expected receipts by Impala Refining Services Limited (IRS).
The financial information on which this announcement is based has not been reviewed or reported on by the company's auditors. The financial results for the year ended 30 June 2006 are expected to be published on 25 August 2006.