Like the tobacco industry, asbestos producers have much to answer for. The first reports linking asbestos to illness appeared in the 1920s. As late as 1949 however, one UK company put children to work inside jute sacks to trample and compress asbestos. Twenty years later, and nine years after an authoritative study blamed asbestos dust for the deaths of several dozen residents of northern Cape, a senior Cape asbestos executive told a conference that the industry's engineers were still reluctant to agree with the alleged relationship between asbestos dust and mesothelioma.
Some analysts see the strong platinum price providing a sound base.
But a weak Wall Street, which recorded heavy losses on Friday, will undermine more bullish sentiment if it continues. Kimberley might get its own diamond bourse, which could improve prices for small prospectors and hinder the flow of blood diamonds, Chris Matlhako, the spokesman for Northern Cape Premier Manne Dipico, said at the weekend. Palabora Mining's interim profit declined from R213m to R92m in the six months ended June, on improved revenue of R719m from R685,8m for the previous comparable period. South African Diamond group De Beers said on Friday it was willing to discuss Russian diamond producer Alrosa's ideas for the future of their supply contract. Australia's North said yesterday there was enough value in the company to justify rival bidders Anglo American and Rio Tinto upping their offers.