Board move

Aquarius Platinum, preparing to move from the Alternative Investment Market to the full board of the London Stock Exchange before mid-year, has expressed confidence in the health of world platinum markets this week.

The platinum jewellery market, which had grown in the 1990s, was not about to fall away, South-African-based chief executive officer Stuart Murray said.

Ninety per cent of wedding rings purchased in Japan were platinum and China was now consuming 1.3 million ounces annually.

Perth-based chairman Ed Nealon confirmed Aquarius had spurned an offer from major world producer Placer Dome.