PLACER SAYS SA VENTURE SECURE

CANADIAN gold producer Placer Dome said on Monday its joint venture with South Africa’s Western Areas Ltd is unaffected by the shock resignation of Western Areas’ deputy chairman Brett Kebble at the weekend. Vancouver-based Placer also said it was confident of Western Areas’ ability to meet its financial commitments to the promising South Deep gold project. Placer made headlines last year when it agreed to become a 50/50 partner in the Western Areas mine and South Deep for a $235 million investment.