UPDATE 2-Aquarius Platinum sees H1 loss of $75-$85 mln

The spot price of platinum XPT= slid 55 percent during the second half of 2008, but has stabilised since the start of 2009, rising 2 percent.

Aquarius (AQP.AX) said attributable production of platinum group metals for the three months to December rose 2.7 percent to 131,843 ounces.

Cash costs at all of its operations in South Africa have fallen, mainly due to higher volumes, but declining prices of mine inputs such as steel, fuel and explosives were expected to result in lower future costs. (Reporting by Eric Onstad; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle and Andrew Macdonald)