Oct 31 (Reuters) - South Africa's Impala Platinum (IMPJ.J) will reduce planned spending across its business to reflect current low metal prices, the company said on Tuesday.

The prices of platinum group metals (PGM), which are used by automakers for catalysts that help curb toxic emissions, have fallen steeply this year, squeezing miners still facing high operational costs.

Platinum prices are down about 15% so far in 2023 amid concerns over global economic growth, while palladium is currently trading around $1,127 an ounce after peaking above $3,000 in March 2022 after top producer Russia invaded Ukraine.

The price of rhodium, a scarce, corrosion-resistant PGM, peaked at nearly $30,000 an ounce in 2021 but is currently trading around $4,500.

Impala, the world's second largest PGM producer after South African rival Anglo American Platinum (AMSJ.J), last year announced a 50 billion rand ($2.66 billion) five-year capital investment programme across its mining and processing assets.

Much of the investment was earmarked for mine development and upgrades as well as processing facilities and solar power generation at Impala's 87% owned Zimplats Ltd (ZIM.AX) in Zimbabwe.

"Planned elevated levels of spend across the portfolio will be adjusted to reflect the prevailing current reality of compressed industry margins," Impala CEO Nico Muller said in a quarterly production update.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for details of specific projects that could be impacted by the reduced spending.

Impala's refined PGM production volumes increased by 25% to 885,000 ounces during the September quarter after integrating the newly acquired Royal Bafokeng Platinum.

($1 = 18.7626 rand)

https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/impala-platinum-cut-spending-after-metal-price-decline-2023-10-31/