Palabora extracts and beneficiates copper and vermiculite from its mines in Limpopo. It is SA's only producer of refined copper. At the prelim stage in December, revenue declined to R4,6bn from R4,9bn in the previous period. But the firm said its "strong cash balance and consistent operational performance will bode well in these challenging times". Several cautionaries were issued between September 2008 and May on a pending empowerment deal.