JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 8, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Impala Platinum Holding Limited (Implats) (JSE:IMP) (LSE:IPLA) (OTC:IMPUY) confirms that employees of Horlock Mining, a contractor mining company, have embarked an illegal "go-slow" action at Makwiro Platinum's Ngezi open pit mine. Implats currently has an effective 88.3% stake in Makwiro through its interests in both Makwiro and Makwiro's parent company, Zimplats.
Given the possibility of damage to equipment, management has decided to suspend some of the mining operations while the contractors attend to the issue. Although not directly involved in the resolution of the labour dispute, Zimplats and Makwiro management are in full consultation with stakeholders to ensure a speedy outcome and a return to normal operations.
Ore production for the month of June will be negatively affected by this action and, in order to offset this effect, planned maintenance of the crusher and the concentrator will be brought forward and will commence shortly.