Spend in the comparative period was constrained by Covid-19-related factors," the group said. Implats is currently involved in a takeover bid of Royal Bafokeng Platinum (RBPlat), which the Competition Tribunal is sussing out. The closing date on the Implats offer has been extended to September 16. As of June 30, Implats and Northam held 37.83 percent and 34.52 percent in RBPlat, respectively. Meanwhile, the world's largest producer of PGMs Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) last month said that it had a 42 percent decline in interim earnings as a result of lower prices. According to Amplats, in the PGM markets, the forecast was for platinum's surplus to gradually move towards a deficit due to a significant increase in automotive platinum demand, as some platinum replaces palladium in gasoline catalysts. Implats is set to report its full-year results on or about September 1. BUSINESS REPORT