Any holders out there - there's some buying going on.....

SA MINE INDUSTRY JOB PLAN TARGETS PLATINUM AS CENTRAL BANK RESERVE ASSET - 26th August 2015

The mining industry is struggling with sinking commodity prices.
Anglo American Platinum’s Khuseleka mine shaft in Marikana, North West.

FILE: The mining industry, which contributes around 7 percent to Africa’s most developed economy, is struggling with sinking commodity prices, rising costs and labour unrest, forcing a number of companies into mine closures and layoffs

SA Chamber of Mines Job losses South African mines

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa’s mining industry, unions and the government have committed to a broad plan to stem job losses, including boosting platinum by promoting the metal as a central bank reserve asset, according to a draft agreement seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

The parties also said they would strive to delay lay-offs, sell distressed mining assets instead of closing them, and look at ways of streamlining the legal process which employers must follow to cut jobs.

The mining industry, which contributes around 7 percent to Africa’s most developed economy, is struggling with sinking commodity prices, rising costs and labour unrest, forcing a number of companies into mine closures and layoffs.

The agreement is expected to be signed on Monday next week after its details were hammered out on Tuesday.

The draft agreement lays out 10 wide interventions including getting the BRICS group of emerging nations to hold “platinum as a reserve asset”- like gold - in their central banks.

Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa comprise the BRICS.

South Africa sits on close to 80 percent of the world’s known reserves of platinum, a metal used in emissions-capping catalytic converters which is facing depressed demand.

Its spot price is pinned near 5,5 year lows below $1,000 an ounce.

The gravity of the situation faced by South Africa’s mining sector was outlined on 5 August - when the meetings over the jobs crisis began - by Roger Baxter, head of the Chamber of Mines.

He said over 50 percent of the country’s mines were currently operating at a loss, according to minutes seen by Reuters.

In an apparent compromise to industry, the parties have also agreed to look at ways to streamline the legal process which companies must follow before they lay off workers.

Mining companies, including Glencore, Kumba Iron Ore, Sibanye Gold and Lonmin, have said they plan to cut jobs but are facing pressure from unions and the government to maintain jobs.

South Africa’s unemployment rate is around 25 percent and data on Tuesday showed the economy contracted in the second quarter.

South Africa seals mining jobs deal, proposes platinum plan - Published Monday, Aug. 31, 2015 6:51AM

South Africa’s mining industry, unions and the government signed a broad plan on Monday to stem a wave of job losses triggered by falling commodity prices and soaring costs.

The document of the blue print seen by Reuters last week included boosting platinum by promoting the metal as a central bank reserve asset.

Mines Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi said the government planned to negotiate this issue with South Africa’s central bank and the New Development Bank which has been launched by the BRICS group of emerging economies.

“I had hoped we can reach a point where it says ‘I promise to pay the bearer in platinum equivalent’ to add to the basket, so we are looking at internal promotion,” he said.

South Africa sits on close to 80 per cent of the world’s known reserves of platinum, a metal used in emissions-capping catalytic converters which is facing depressed demand.

Platinum’s spot price is pinned near 6-1/2 year lows below $1,000 an ounce.

Commitments to delay layoffs, sell distressed mining assets instead of closing them, and the creation of a “development fund” to provide possible employment to laid-off miners are also part of the plan.

Ramatlhodi said almost 12,000 mining jobs were on the line in South Africa, which has an unemployment rate of around 25 per cent and glaring income disparities.

South Africa seals mining jobs deal, proposes platinum plan - Published Monday, Aug. 31, 2015 6:51AM

South Africa’s mining industry, unions and the government signed a broad plan on Monday to stem a wave of job losses triggered by falling commodity prices and soaring costs.

The document of the blue print seen by Reuters last week included boosting platinum by promoting the metal as a central bank reserve asset.

Mines Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi said the government planned to negotiate this issue with South Africa’s central bank and the New Development Bank which has been launched by the BRICS group of emerging economies.

“I had hoped we can reach a point where it says ‘I promise to pay the bearer in platinum equivalent’ to add to the basket, so we are looking at internal promotion,” he said.

South Africa sits on close to 80 per cent of the world’s known reserves of platinum, a metal used in emissions-capping catalytic converters which is facing depressed demand.

Platinum’s spot price is pinned near 6-1/2 year lows below $1,000 an ounce.

Commitments to delay layoffs, sell distressed mining assets instead of closing them, and the creation of a “development fund” to provide possible employment to laid-off miners are also part of the plan.

Ramatlhodi said almost 12,000 mining jobs were on the line in South Africa, which has an unemployment rate of around 25 per cent and glaring income disparities.

Not sure about all those words - surely Jubilee sp has fallen in line with many other "mining" stocks ( OK rather faster, but that's life with tiddlers ). So what does the SA Gov think it can do with demand falling - that;s the isse for "Profitability" and "Employment" - unless you can create more-uses for the metal, you're stuck.
The SA Gov can provide loans, even improve infrastructure, build schools for the workers' children ( to tempt them to stay )...and even provide Unemployment benefits - but that is temporary - if the World is using less metal, then leave it in the ground and find another Business.

As to JLP - I suspect they are heading for scrap. The sp says it all . . . . although the recent jump might have been Good News, I suspect it was a short-term Bandwagon . . . when the Market thought it can't be any worse....
But we know it can and with complacent Execs running the show since Metal prices collapsed....did they see nothing? Certainly they did nothing....

It's not good IMHO.

EDIT(10Sept2015)- Not sure I understand the next Post - however, I do recognise that Colin Bird has been a regular Buyer of Stock.... even showing a small profit recently, not that means he's overall doing well - that probably needs to sp to rise well into double figures .. . . some hope, eh? . . . currently abt. 3p

That trade below, was a turning point, but now that the lot is taken, down again

11:11:32
2.8215p
1,049,000

got some at 3.15p, MM played games @3.10p offer and was not giving stock

The mark down did not last and now looks like is motoring

Closed at 3.425p +0.425 (+14.17%)

record volume as delayed trades are being reported, compare to the last 2 weeks

3.575p +0.15p

another follow through today with MMs playing games ones too often on the level 2 ( one ordinary sell trade and 3 MMs mark down their price at the same time ). That is why the Intraday chart shows the spikes up and down

strong interest in S. Africa this morning and rising

78.00ZAr
+5.00
6.85%

bloomberg/JBL:SJ

Level 2 spread 3.70 v 3.80p

3 v 1
bid 3.75p should come soon as buying is a 3.795p
next offer at 3.95p

things are moving over here also after the SA move now 79+6

3.90p +0.225p (+6.12%)

a bit down now the same as it was earlier on SA but now they are unchanged @ 80ZAr

Platinum price now up @$959 after hitting $947 earlier.

4.30p +0.55p

Jubilee meets all sale conditions for the Disposal of Middelburg Assets

Jubilee, the Mine-to-Metals company, is pleased to announce that at all conditions precedent have been satisfied with regard to the disposal of 100% of the issued shares in Jubilee Smelting and Refining Proprietary Limited ("JSR"), the owner of the Middelburg Smelter and 70% of the issued shares in Power Alt Proprietary Limited ("PA"), the owner of the Power Plant for a combined consideration of ZAR 110.5 million (approximately GB5.3 million) (the "Disposal"). Jubilee concluded the Disposal with Siyanda Resources Proprietary Limited acting though Main Street 1347 Proprietary Limited -a special purpose vehicle established for the purposes of the Disposal.

Highlights

· All conditions precedent to the Disposal satisfied

· Transfer of ownership on 30 September 2015 with final settlement on 9 October 2015

· Jubilee to receive in, aggregate ZAR110.5 million (approximately GBP5.3 million), for the Disposal on 9 October 2015

· Jubilee retains right to construct a 5MW platinum furnace at the Middelburg Operations

· Jubilee retains rights to participate in any expansion of the Power Plant

· The Disposal further facilitates Jubilee's fast track approach towards the implementation of the two Platinum Surface Processing projects in 2016

Leon Coetzer CEO said: "The unconditional sale of our non-platinum assets is an important milestone for the Company as we accelerate towards becoming a significant platinum producer.

Sold the open position on a T +16 at 4.3116p

went over the upper Bollinger Band and slow stochastic also at overbought

Ha been on this floor for a while now and moving up and down for a few days, looking at Indicators also at oversold, should soon be moving higher from this 3.15p, level 2 of 4 v 1

Very exciting period ahead of us. There is much promise. Why?

Well we know Middleberg transferred according to plan. So this week should be an RNS that confirms the £5.3m will be transferred to the JLP bank.

Add to that. this week or next confirmation of the debt funded plan agreed with a major financial institution. Once this is confirmed JLP will nearly have as much money in the bank as their MCAP valuation!

Production starts no later than end of January on a multi million pound profitable production. This will see JLP move into substantial growth and profit.

Additionally, we are due news on the Tjate license. The company state everything is done and matters are concluding. If it is announced - well it is simply a gain changer in terms of valuation.

Additionally, news of another tailings find and project is likely, the company continue to hint at such matters.

Though - crucially in this short period we will have absolute confirmation of agreed funding, cash reserves, etc to move Tailings into production and profit.

Matters are going to get very exciting from now on and expectations of very substantial gains as the month progresses.

Looks like finally wants to move forward on a big way, has been holding at this recent lows for some time, and for the last couple days, some positive facts are on the air.

Yesterday's bid for AQP ( platinum )
Platinum prices on the rise
charting flooring at bottom lately

3.475p +0.25p

Lift off
here we go and we will have a good rise, cuz the MM is buying 100K from the only MM on the offer to lift the share higher
10:11:43
3.60p
100,000K

now 3.80p +0.575 (+17.83%)
that's the way
edit - bid up as posting to 3.75p so middle 3.825p

3.95p +0.725 (+22.48%)

top performer with 24M volume