PGM-Minen (Platin, Palladium, Rhodium)

Quelle: FIN24.ZA. CO vom 19.10.05

Gold Fields Limited / North American Palladium Ltd -

North American Palladium
and Gold Fields Announce Option/Joint Venture on the Arctic Platinum Project

Gold Fields Limited
(Reg. No. 1968/004880/06)
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)

Share Code: GFI
ISIN Code: ZAE000018123
24 St. Andrews Road
Parktown, 2193
Postnet Suite 252
Private Bag X30500
Houghton, 2041
South Africa

http://www.goldfields.co.za

JSE - GFI
NYSE - GFI

North American Palladium Ltd
130 Adelaide Street West
Suite 2116
Toronto, Ontario
M5H 3P5
T. 416.360.7590
F. 416.360.7709

http://www.napalladium.com

Trading Symbols TSX - PDL
AMEX - PAL

News Release

October 19, 2005

North American Palladium and Gold Fields Announce Option/Joint Venture on the
Arctic Platinum Project

Toronto, Ontario - North American Palladium Ltd. ("NAP") and Gold Fields Limited
("Gold Fields") are pleased to announce the companies have entered into a letter
of intent to form a joint venture to further explore mining properties and
develop a mine at the Arctic Platinum Project ("APP") located in Finland.
APP"s location and geology are quite similar to that of NAP"s Lac des Iles mine
in Northwestern Ontario and will permit NAP to utilize its operating and
development experience in the design and construction of a mine at APP.
NAP will be granted an option to acquire up to a 60% undivided interest in APP
including the Suhanko, SJ Reef and SK Reef mining properties and claims located
south of Rovaniemi, Finland (collectively the "Project"). NAP"s option to
acquire its interest in APP will vest upon NAP satisfying the following
conditions on or before June 30, 2008: (i) completing a US$7.5 million re-
scoping study and exploration program and US$5.0 million feasibility study; (ii)
making a decision to develop a mine at the Project; and (iii) paying Gold Fields
up to US$45 million through the issuance of NAP common shares. The price per
share will be the weighted average trading price on the American Stock Exchange
for 11 trading days commencing October 11, 2005.
During the next stage of work, NAP will manage the exploration, engineering and
evaluation activity on APP. This work will be divided into two phases, Phase I:
a re-scoping study and Phase II: a feasibility study. The proposed exploration
program will focus on APP"s SK Reef and SJ Reef projects. The feasibility study
will generate a report with sufficient engineering detail and cost estimates in
order for the Project to be considered for project financing or other suitable
financing alternatives.
The re-scoping study on the Project will address the following objectives:
define a combined mineable resource of 5 million ounces of 2PGE + Au at grades
greater than 3.0 grams per tonne.
exploration on the SK Reef and SJ Reef mining projects to drill and examine
mining claims that have the potential to satisfy the target grades, obtain
sufficient data to create a new geological model that supports a combined mine
plan for the Project and identify other high potential geological zones along
the Archaean-Proterozoic contact.
examine various mine design options to efficiently exploit all identified APP
resources and produce a marketable product in a cost-effective manner.
evaluate the metallurgy of various ore types contained within the Project and
categorize as to possible processing options.
The re-scoping and feasibility studies are expected to commence in the first
quarter of 2006 and take approximately 30 months to complete.
Upon NAP"s acquisition of an interest in APP, a joint venture of APP will be
formed with NAP holding a 60% interest and Gold Fields holding a 40% interest.
Gold Fields will have a back-in right to acquire an additional 10% interest in
APP and consideration for such interest will be paid by reducing the number of
NAP common shares issued to Gold Fields by 20%. NAP will remain operator of the
joint venture which will be managed under a Joint Venture arrangement.
Completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions including
among other things, negotiating and executing a formal option and joint venture
agreement and receipt of all required regulatory and third party approvals and
consents, including the approvals of the Toronto and American Stock Exchanges
and the South African Reserve Bank.
Gold Fields is one of the world"s largest gold producers, with annual unhedged
gold production of approximately 4.2 million ounces, reserves of 64.8 million
ounces and mineral resources of 174.5 million ounces. Gold Fields is listed on
the JSE (primary listing), NYSE, LSE, Euronext in Paris and Brussels, and on the
Swiss Exchange.
North American Palladium"s Lac des Iles Mine is Canada"s only primary producer
of platinum group metals and is one of the largest open pit bulk mineable
palladium reserves in the world. The Company also earns substantial revenue
from by-product nickel, platinum, gold and copper. In addition to operating Lac
des Iles, the Company"s mandate is to expand its production profile through an
aggressive exploration campaign, designed to increase its exposure to base and
precious metals. Palladium use in the auto industry continues to be an
important component in controlling exhaust emissions as mandated by more
stringent hydrocarbon emissions standards for cars, particularly in the United
States, Europe and Japan. Palladium is also used in the dental, electronics,
jewellery and chemical sectors.
For further information, please
contact:
North American Palladium Ltd. Gold Fields Limited
Andr J. Douchane South Africa
President & CEO Willie Jacobsz
Tel: (416) 360-2656 Tel: +27 11 644-2630
Douglas H. Bache - Treasurer Nerina Bodasing
Tel: (416) 360-2651 Tel: +27 11 644-2460
Krista Muhr - Manager North America
Investor Relations Cheryl A. Martin
Tel: (416) 360-2652 Tel: (303) 796-8683

Das sieht nach einem Prestigegewinn für North American Palldium aus.

Vielleicht wird sogar mehr draus.

Aus MINING WEEKLY vom 20.10.05

Gold Fields takes back seat in Finland PGM project
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JSE-listed Gold Fields has restated its relationship with Canadian firm North American Palladium (NAP) and has now taken a back seat in the Finnish Arctic Platinum project.

Spokesperson Willie Jacobz tells Mining Weekly Online that the firm, which could end up with 40% of the project, believes that NAP, which earns its revenue from by-product nickel, platinum, gold and copper, is in a better position to operate the project.

This is because the project is now smaller than anticipated and NAP is a junior firm that is focused on palladium. Its Lac des Iles Mine is Canada's only primary producer of platinum-group metals and is one of the largest openpit bulk mineable palladium reserves in the world.

Gold Fields, one of the world's largest gold producers, with annual unhedged gold production of about 4,2-million ounces, believes that the project, to be operated by NAP, needs constant attention.

NAP will be able to acquire up to 60% in the project, provided it completes a $7,5-million rescoping study and exploration programme as well as a $5-million feasibility study before June 2008.

In addition, before this date, a decision to develop the mine must also be made, and NAP must pay Gold Fields about $45-million by means of shares.

The South African miner, however, has retained an option to up its share to 50% as it will have a back-in right to acquire an additional 10% interest in APP.

Jacobz adds that this is because it wishes to retain its exposure to the project and believes that it will go all the way to mine production stage.

Currently mothballed, some Gold Fields staff are on site looking after the property that has been in development for the last four years.

The mining property to be explored, hopefully leading to mine development, is located in Finland and its location and geology are quite similar to that of NAP's Lac des Iles mine in North-western Ontario.

The project has been divided into two phases and, during the first phase the rescoping study will be completed while phase two will see a feasibility study being undertaken.

The proposed exploration programme will focus on APP's SK Reef and SJ Reef projects, while the feasibility study will generate a report with sufficient engineering detail and cost estimates in order for the project to be considered for project financing or other suitable financing alternatives.

Rescoping and feasibility studies are expected to start in the first quarter of 2006 and take about 30 months to complete.

However, completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions including negotiating and executing a formal option and joint venture agreement and receipt of all required regulatory and third party approvals and consents, including the approvals of the Toronto and American Stock Exchanges and the South African Reserve Bank.

Bin zuversichtlich, daß NAP kein Tanga-Slip mit Hosenträgern ist.

Mir gefällt bei denen das fein eingerichtete Proben-Labor.



Außerdem habe ich noch etwas PPD im Depot.

Das ist keine Alchemie sondern Pan Palldium PPD.ASX.

Die explorieren in RSA.

[Blockierte Grafik: http://www.ciudadaniasexual.org/images/tom_wesselman2.gif]

Great American Nude No. 70, Tom Wesselmann 1965

21 October 2005

Platinum, palladium outlook strong
===========================
Source: Dow Jones

Platinum CatalogThe outlook for the platinum and palladium market is strong despite high platinum prices curtailing jewelry demand and ample supply of palladium, precious metals consultancy Virtual Metals said Thursday.

Platinum has shown "considerable strength" with spot prices peaking at $941 a troy ounce on Oct. 11 but have so far not risen to Virtual Metals' 2005 forecast of $1000/oz.

Rising prices over the past two years have contributed to a reduction in demand, particularly from Chinese jewelry consumers and increased supply, chiefly from South African mines, the consultancy said in its "White Book" report.

However, a drop in jewelry demand has been offset by buoyant offtake for autocatalysts, the largest consumer of platinum on the back of robust sales of diesel cars.

Diesel engines can only use platinum in its catalysts, while petrol-powered cars can use both platinum or palladium. Technology to use palladium in diesel catalysts does exist but is still not developed enough for the wider market.

"The outlook for both metals is now in trading ranges that are conceivably more sustainable in the longer term. Our fears of a boom-bust for platinum with associated price-related substitution have been allayed and the worrisome surpluses which appeared to be building in the palladium market have been counterbalanced to some extent," Chief Executive Jessica Cross said.

Palladium's fundamental outlook has improved due to "surprising strength of palladium jewelry offtake in China, suggesting 2004's leap in demand may be more than just a one-off event," the report said, forecasting palladium prices to rise.

Spot palladium prices have risen from around $184/oz in September to a seven-month high of $215/oz in October.

[Blockierte Grafik: http://www.artofcolour.com/pop-art/pop-art-image-files/banana.gif]

""Das sieht nach einem Prestigegewinn für North American Palldium aus.""

PDL:TSX = PAL.Amex

gestern 10%, heute 6% UP

hauptsächlich weil Palladium etwas steigt

[Blockierte Grafik: http://www.dinside.no/km_bilde/7/138747.jpg]

Great American Nude No. 98, Tom Wesselmann 1967

In jungen Jahren kannte ich mal eine Mathemat.-Technische Asssistentin.

Auf der Homepage von PDL wude ein feines helles Labor gezeigt.

Da war mir klar North-American-Palladium wirkt anziehend -ist vielleicht 8-10 Wochen her- .

Kurs hat sich annähernd verdoppelt knapp unter 10 CanD.

Ganz auszuschließen ist nicht, daß der Palladium Preis eine
Rolle spielte. Und das JV mit GFI.

Die an der ASX gelistete PPD Pan Palladium, die in RSA
überwiegend als Explorer tätig ist, hat Kurs-Potenzial.
Homepage und chart anschauen.

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Aus IAFRICA.com vom 22.11.05

Implats to tap SA for expansion
=========================

The majority of the expansion in world number two platinum miner Impala Platinum's (Implats) platinum output from about 1.8 million ounces to 2.3 million oz by 2010 would come from South Africa, Implats investor relations representative Bob Gilmour said on Tuesday.

During that period about 70 000 oz of platinum growth would come from Zimbabwe, where Implats has a 50 percent stake in the Mimosa mine and almost 87 percent stake in Zimplats, he added.

Significant growth in Implats' Zimbabwe platinum output was likely to come after 2010, Gilmour added.

During Implats' 2005 financial year to June, Zimplats' total output was 86 200 oz of platinum in matte and the Mimosa mine's total platinum production in concentrate was 66 700 oz.

Implats had previously indicated that increasing its refined platinum production to 2.3 million oz depended on the expansion of the group's Zimbabwe expansions proceeding.

About 120 000 oz of the extra platinum would be produced from Implats' 45 percent stake in the Two Rivers joint venture with African Rainbow Minerals, which is to start coming online in 2006, 145 000 oz of platinum would come from Marula Platinum in the Limpopo province by 2009 and recycling of platinum from auto catalysts would contribute about 100 000 oz.

The Impala Lease area would make up the rest of the increase with the company aiming to up platinum output to 1.150 million oz per annum with the ultimate target of 1.2 million oz annually, Gilmour said.

With Lonmin set to buy out Messina Platinum and delist the company from the JSE, Implats' processing services would no longer process about 40 000 oz platinum for Messina from early 2006, he added.

I-Net Bridge

Meine Meinung ist das nicht.

Platin ist mittlerweile "Geld-Metall", da kann die industrielle

Verwendung ruhig etwas zurückgehen.

aus BUSINESS-DAY vom 06.12.05

Palladium catalysts may kill platinum price rally
=====================================

London - A four-year rally that enabled platinum to more than double in price may be over now that car makers are switching to less costly palladium.

Platinum may fall as much as 11 percent to $890 an ounce in the first half of next year, according to Johnson Matthey, the world's largest distributor of the metal.

General Motors, the world's biggest car maker by sales, designed its exhaust systems to substitute palladium for platinum "when one metal gets too expensive", said spokesperson Tom Hill.

Norilsk Nickel of Russia, the world's largest palladium producer, said demand for the cheaper alternative might rise 63 percent next year as jewellers increased use at the expense of platinum.

Wolfgang Wrzesniok-Rossbach, the head of marketing and sales at precious metals company Heraeus Holding, last month said: "We expect a substantial drop in demand as palladium gets substituted for platinum.

"There isn't much demand from industrial buyers at these levels."

Platinum fixed at $998 (R6 356) an ounce yesterday afternoon in London after rising to $1 008 earlier in the day, its best price since March 1980.

Platinum and palladium, which are mined in South Africa and Russia, are used in catalytic converters, which help reduce emissions from automotive exhausts. Platinum is also used in computer screens and jewellery. About 57 percent of platinum demand stems from makers of car catalysts, while jewellery producers account for 30 percent, according to Johnson Matthey.

Umicore, the world's third-largest maker of catalytic converters, this year introduced a system for diesel cars that uses a catalyst made with both platinum and palladium.

"Palladium prices are very low compared with platinum," Umicore spokesperson Geoffroy Raskin said last week.

"If you replace platinum with palladium, you get a much more cost-effective catalyst. It also offers car makers more flexibility because they can choose between the two in the future."

The technology allowed Umicore to replace as much as 25 percent of platinum with palladium, Raskin said.

Platinum prices may also come under pressure as car makers produce more hybrid cars, which run on a petrol-electric motor.

"We view hybrids as a threat to platinum group metals demand," Robin Bahr, a metals analyst with UBS AG in London, said in a report in November.

Output of platinum would fall short of demand this year by 120 000 ounces, Johnson Matthey said last month.

Demand for platinum in jewellery might drop 6 percent to 2.02 million ounces this year as record prices deterred Chinese buyers, according to Johnson Matthey.

Demand for palladium from Chinese jewellers is forecast to rise 71 percent to 1.2 million ounces this year. - Bloomberg