Lonmin Plc - Western Platinum Smelter

Lonmin Plc - Western Platinum Smelter                                           
NEWS RELEASE                                                                    
ISIN code: GB0031192486                                                         
7 January 2003                                                                  
Lonmin Plc                                                                      
Western Platinum Smelter                                                        
Lonmin announces that on December 26th 2002, an accident occurred at the No.1   
furnace at the Western Platinum smelter.  This resulted in a run-out of slag and
matte which was accompanied by an explosion causing serious damage to the       
furnace.  There were no injuries to personnel and the furnace was taken off-line
for further investigation, which has now commenced.                             
Contingency plans to deal with such an event were in place and are now          
operating.  The UG2 and Merensky concentrates will be processed through Western 
Platinum`s three Pyromet furnaces and through the Merensky furnace respectively 
and toll refining will be used as necessary.                                    
The smelter is covered under our asset protection insurance progamme, which     
includes losses associated with business interruption.                          
It is anticipated that some loss of production will be suffered and additional  
costs incurred.  A further announcement will be made in due course.             
End                                                                             
For further information contact:                                                
CardewChancery                                                                  
Anthony Cardew / Jackie      +44 (0)20 7930 0777                                
Range                                                                           
ISSUED BY LONMIN PLC                                                            
4 GROSVENOR PLACE, LONDON SW1X 7YL                                              
TEL   +44 (0)20 7201 6000   FAX  +44 (0)20 7201 6100                            
Date: 07/01/2003 01:51:01 PM Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za                     
Produced by the JSE SENS Department