Stillwater Mining, the US platinum firm, announced that first quarter production of platinum and palladium declined to 129,000 oz down from 144,000 oz in the first quarter of 2007.

The firm blamed a lack of skilled workers at the operations for the decline in production.

Stillwater Mining used a one-week-on and one-week-off work schedule to allow them to hire workers outside of Montana and while this was successful at first the workers left to be closer to their families, Mining Weekly reports.

But changes to the work schedule in early 2007 resulted in a large number of employees leaving the company.

Stillwater Mining is focussing on developing a more locally-based workforce so it can hold onto staff.

"Average mining productivity has begun to rebound however, as our newly trained local miners increase their mining proficiency," a statement from the firm said.

But Francis McAllister, Chief Executive Officer of the firm, said that first quarter production was in line with the firm's forecast.

Source:

Stillwater swings to profit on higher prices, 08/05/08
http://www.miningweekly.com/article.php?a_id=132896

Stillwater Mining Reports First Quarter 2008 Profit, 08/05/08
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=99837&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1142402&highlight