Platinum producer Lonmin has closed its number one furnace for repairs after a leak was detected.

The firm has detected a small water leak in one of the copper waffle coolers on the side wall of the furnace.

It was detected by a new condition-based monitoring system which was installed at the furnace over the last year.

A statement from the firm said: "As we repair the furnace we will assess the impact of this incident on production and sales for the 2008 financial year."

The repairs are not expected to take longer than seven days but further inspection may change this.

It must be powered down so that the cooler can be inspected and repairs completed, but if further problems are found during the inspection the furnance may be shut down for longer.

"During this time we will continue to operate our Merensky furnace," the statement read.



Source:
No.1 Furnace Power Down, 30/06/08
http://www.lonmin.com/news.aspx?pageid=185&pressID=204