Impala Platinum announced on Thursday a 78 percent increase in headline earnings per share to R28.06 for the half year to December 2005.

The world's second largest platinum miner declared a total dividend of R65 per share, comprising of a R10 interim dividend and a special dividend of R55 per share.

Implats CEO Keith Rumble said: "The distribution of approximately R4.3-billion is in line with our stated philosophy of returning excess cash to shareholders and indicative of the company's cash generative ability going forward."

The group also reported a seven percent rise in group production for the period, to 938 000 ounces of platinum, with the group's primary operating subsidiary, Impala Platinum, reporting record platinum production for the six months of 591 000 ounces.

Shares ended 1.93 percent firmer at R1005.

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