A higher realised rand platinum group metals (PGMs) price, an improved operational performance and higher sales volumes have contributed to a significant increase in Impala Platinum’s (Implats’) gross profit for the financial year ended June 30. In a trading statement published on Thursday, Implats said it expects to report a gross profit of R6.8-billion, compared with the R1.1-billion profit reported for the 2018 financial year.