Lonmin Better than gold

The price of platinum has almost doubled in the past five years to a more than $1,000 per ounce. So it may appear a poor time for Gold Fields, the South African-based gold mining company to approach Lonmin, the world’s third-largest platinum miner. But making an offer would be tactically, and perhaps even strategically smart for Gold Fields. Getting Lonmin to agree will be another question entirely. Gold Fields faces hard times. Its gold mines are old and expensive. The group’s efforts to parti...