JOHANNESBURG, June 15 (Reuters) - Lonmin Plc, the world's third biggest platinum producer, said it shut down its No. 1 furnace on Sunday due to a production incident, but the impact on sales this year was not yet clear.
The firm, which has a history of problems with smelters and missed production targets, said repairs were expected to take around 30 days.
"In order to mitigate the impact on production of this shut down and repair, our three Pyromet furnaces have already been started up and are expected to tap matte in seven days," a statement said.
Further details about the impact would only be possible once a full inspection was made after the furnace had cooled down.
"Guidance regarding the impact of this incident on production and sales for the 2009 financial year will also be given at that time," said Lonmin, which has operations in South Africa.

(Reporting by Eric Onstad; editing by Hans Peters) (eric.onstad@thomsonreuters.com; +44 20 7542 7093; Reuters Messaging: eric.onstad.reuters.com@reuters.net)

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