A platinum group metals (PGMs) producer in southern Africa. Company has interests in 5 operations and project located on both the world-renowned Bushveld Complex in South Africa and the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe. Its primary operation Kroondal Mine is one of the lowest cost and most efficient PGM producers in the world. Its second operation in South Africa, the Marikana Mine, is currently making the transition from a pure open cast operation to a mixed underground operation. Its third mine in South Africa, the Everest Mine is currently under construction with commissioning and first production expected by the end of 2005.

Upper graph = 12 month share price with 6 month moving average Lower graph = 12 month volume (red line = volume average).

Independent - 5 May 2007 - The Investment Column - Our view: Buy - Share price: 1511p

It has been two years since we looked at Aquarius Platinum, and in the intervening months the shares have rocketed from 336p to 1,511p, giving anyone taking our "buy" advice a very healthy return of 350 per cent.

Platinum has a distinctive place in commodities as a precious metal whose primary market is industrial. Whereas the price of base metals has been driven by Chinese demand, the platinum market has been driven by regulatory changes in the motor car industry. Almost 75 per cent of the world's platinum is used in catalytic converters, and supply has been squeezed so much that the jewellery market has been reduced. Last week's third-quarter production numbers from Aquarius were a slight disappointment, showing a fall of 9 per cent against the previous quarter. However, with operations exclusively in South Africa, Aquarius has benefited from being one of the lowest cost platinum producers. Wage and capital goods inflation is certainly a cause for concern but with demand for platinum is unlikely to be matched by supply in the near term the chances of a sharp correction are slim. Aquarius is well positioned in the rhodium market; another precious metal used in flat-screen television screens. There is a global shortage of rhodium and the rare metal is currently trading at $6,000 an ounce, nearly 10 times the price of gold.

The mining industry is consolidating and given Aquarius's track record and relative lack of exposure to the fluctuations of Chinese demand a bid cannot be ruled out. Despite the share price going into orbit, the stock still trades on just 12.7 times forecast 2008 earnings so remains a buy.

Johnson Matthey gave a good upbeat trading statement today saying it sees particular growth in its catalysts division in the coming year as demand is driven by climate change and emissions concerns. With the price of platinum near an all-time high, and demand increasing daily, this can only be good for Aquarius. The sp is down 8% over two days with no bad news. A good time to time to top up or buy in.

I have to agree with you on the cheapness of this one. I've been watching it for a while now, waiting for an entry point. Bought before the close today and will hold awhile. Brokers rate the company well - Seymour Pierce recently initiated coverage with a price target of 1786p - and with a value of 1.2 billion the company is steadily working its way towards the FTSE.

Bad news for the environment means good news for platinum-plated catalytic converters and fuel filters which counteract environmental damage caused by car engines and industrial motors. Legislation has ensured that more than 90pc of all new vehicles are fitted with a catalytic convertor. In addition to an increasing use of catalysts, car manufacturing is on the rise especially in the Far East. Demand from vehicle-catalyst makers tends to keep platinum prices steadier than other metals during times of economic uncertainty. All that demand has been pushing up platinum prices. The demand is not going to go away - it can only increase - which means profit growth, company growth and share price growth.

A very cheap sp for such a very strong performer.