Braemore Resources has confirmed today (24th April) that production at its recently-enlarged 3.2MW smelter at Mintek is progressing well in its second period of operation.

The company revealed that the new facility produced 10,574 oz pgm 6E (platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium and gold) in the quarter to the end of March.

In addition, 9,007 oz pgm 4E (platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold) were produced, while an impressive recovery rate of 99.13 per cent was achieved from the high-chrome pgm concentrate.

Braemore Chief Executive Officer Leon Coetzer said: "Our recovery rates are exceptional for a smelter processing high-chrome, low-pgm content concentrates.

"Following the relatively minor damage to the furnace caused by the incident in late March, repairs were quickly completed and powering up began on 17th April."

Mr Coetzer added that the smelter is being "carefully monitored" and throughput is gradually being built as it looks towards its target of producing 70,000 oz pgm per year, depending on feed grade.

The results also showed that at the time of the incident, the expanded smelter had produced 17,609 oz pgm 6E (14,638 oz pgm 4E) since commissioning in October 2008.

Despite the necessary repairs, Braemore confirmed that 3,777 oz pgm 6E (3,208 oz pgm 4E) were produced during the month of March, while financial year-to-date production is 19,053 oz pgm 6E (15,053 oz pgm 4E).

Source:

PGM production update (24/04/09)

Ÿ Adfero Ltd