Eastern Platinum could be in line to increase its annual pgm production to 600,000 oz per year, it emerged yesterday (3rd June).

The company revealed that it has plans in place for its assets on the eastern limb of the Bushveld Complex which could boost its annual output by about 400,000 oz.

Phase one of the strategy will see $227 million invested to develop the Mareesburg openpit mine to feed a potential 90,000 tonnes-per-month concentrator at Kennedy's Vale.

This facility could then be expanded further to a processing capacity of 180,000 tonnes per month, which would see the phase one project deliver about 115,000 oz pgm per year.

The openpit mine would have a five-year lifespan and could subsequently be replaced in the second phase by development of the Spitzkop mine, taking annual output to 135,000 oz.

Eastern also revealed that the third phase would see the development of the Mareesburg and De Goedegevagting underground mines, which could add 30,000 oz per year and 120,000 oz per year respectively.

The final phase would involve developing the Kennedy's Vale mine - where two 1,000m vertical shafts would already be in place - to contribute an extra 120,000 oz per year to overall production.

Meanwhile, Eastern also confirmed that its flagship Crocodile River Mine operation remains on track to produce 210,000 oz by 2013, with the development of its Crocette underground mine continuing on schedule.

Eastern Platinum is the largest pgm producer in Canada and can boast projects on both the western and eastern limbs of the platinum-rich Bushveld Complex.

Source:

PGMs-miner Eastplats may raise output to 600 000 oz/y (03/06/10)

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