Valterra Platinum has managed to maintain healthy inventory levels of critical operational inputs such as diesel, lubricants and explosives despite supply uncertainty stemming from the US-Israeli war on Iran, chief executive Craig Miller said.
Miller was quoted by Reuters as saying that stable supplies of these inputs are essential to keeping mines running, as disruptions can quickly translate into operational delays, higher costs and reduced output.
"With our own local suppliers, we've had extensive engagement with them in terms of ensuring that we have sufficient diesel, lubricants, explosives ... being delivered to our operations," he said.
"I'm really pleased to say that we've been able to maintain pretty healthy inventory levels of those critical materials."
Miller said that Valterra had also identified alternative suppliers to offset any supply risk, though it has not yet needed to draw on them.
He said Valterra does not physically purchase jet fuel, but is discussing with customers how to prepare for potential disruptions to jet fuel supplies, which could affect the company's ability to move metal to customers.
Valterra made its trading debut on the Johannesburg bourse as a standalone unit in May last year, following its spin-off from parent Anglo American.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor-In-Chief, Rough & Polished
