| Tue 8 Apr 2008, 16:08 | | ARI - African Rainbow Minerals Limited - Furnace r |
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ARI
ARIM
ARI - African Rainbow Minerals Limited - Furnace restarted at Assmang Cato Ridge
Works
African Rainbow Minerals Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1933/004580/06)
JSE Share code: ARI
ISIN: ZAE000054045
("ARM" or the "Company")
Furnace restarted at Assmang Cato Ridge Works
Assmang Limited ("Assmang") has resumed ferromanganese production with the
recommissioning of one of its six furnaces at its Cato Ridge Works, outside
Durban, KwaZulu Natal. The Department of Labour gave the go-ahead on Friday, 4
April 2008 for the first furnace to be recommissioned.
"Following a thorough risk assessment and the introduction of additional safety
measures, the Department of Labour revoked its prohibition order for the first
of the six furnaces after consultations with ourselves and organised labour,"
said Princess Thwala, senior general manager at Assmang`s Cato Ridge Works.
"The tragic incident on 24 February 2008 in which lives were lost has re-
sharpened our focus on safety and overall employee wellness at Cato Ridge Works.
Safety is paramount in our business and there is no substitute for it."
Assmang executive director Jan Steenkamp also welcomed the opening of the first
furnace, adding that the company was doing its best to ensure there was no
repeat of similar incidents. Assmang has implemented safety measures proposed
by the independent investigator as required by the Department of Labour,
including the construction of blast protection walls surrounding the control
rooms of the furnaces.
"It is imperative that we get back to business under circumstances that optimise
shareholder value without compromising people`s lives," said Steenkamp.
Should the Department of Labour give the green light to recommission three other
furnaces this week, four furnaces may be in full operation at the plant by the
end of the week. A planned shutdown period for the fifth furnace has been
brought forward with recommissioning expected in mid-May. The sixth furnace,
damaged extensively in the explosion of 24 February, is expected to be
recommissioned in the 4th quarter of 2008.
For more information please contact:
Jan Steenkamp
Chief Executive: ARM Ferrous
Assmang Executive Director
Office: +27 11 779 1108
Mobile: +27(0) 82 492 6948
E-mail: jan.steenkamp@arm.co.za
or
Monique Swartz
Corporate Development & Head of Investor Relations
Office: +27 11 779 1507
Mobile: +27(0) 83 411 2881
E-mail: monique.swartz@arm.co.za
Johannesburg
8 April 2008
Issued by sponsor: Deutsche Securities (SA) (Proprietary) Limited
Date: 08/04/2008 16:08:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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