South Africa's Afrimat says H1 earnings to rise by up to 45 pct

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's Afrimat said on Tuesday it expected first-half earnings to increase by between 35 and 45 percent after its mining division did well despite what the company described as "tough trading conditions in most regions." The construction materials supplier said while its concrete-based products division recorded an increase in sales volumes and prices, a strike at the Gauteng operation and high cost increases pulled down its profits for the period.