South African Platinum Miners Launch Wildcat Strike
July 8, 2013 by Paul Ausick
Amplats has proposed a plan to lower its costs by cutting up to 6,000 jobs and chopping production by about 250,000 ounces in 2013 and another 100,000 ounces annually in each of the next few years, according to a report in the Financial Times.
U.S. platinum miner Stillwater Mining Co. (NYSE: SWC), which recently ousted its chairman and CEO following a proxy fight, has gained more than 4% this morning. Demand for platinum and palladium, another Stillwater mineral resource, is rising as more new cars with new catalytic converters are being made and sold.
Stillwater also operates a platinum recycling plant, which should help the company meet demand for platinum without having to produce more. That will help keep its costs lower and should help improve its profits. Platinum prices have dropped from more than $1,500 an ounce in early June to around $1,360 an ounce.
Stillwater shares are trading at $11.12 in the late morning today, up 4%, in a 52-week range of $7.47 to $14.87.
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