Eastern Platinum has revealed it is to establish a chrome recovery plant at its Crocodile River Mine in an effort to improve its platinum group metal (pgm) concentrate.

Chief Executive Ian Rozier said in a statement that the chrome content in the Crocodile River Mine's UG2 ore is currently causing problems for the firm's development because pgm refineries usually charge penalties for concentrate received which has a chrome content of more than 1.5 per cent.

"We currently pay approximately R5 million per month in chrome penalties on our concentrate and by bringing chromite levels to within the range acceptable to the smelters we will add this sum directly to our bottom line," Mr Rozier explained.

He added that the development of the new plant "makes good business sense" for the company.

Commissioning of the first phase of the development is scheduled for November this year, with completion of the second and final phase set for the following month, Eastern Platinum announced.

Source:

Eastern Platinum Limited: Construction of Chrome Recovery Plant at Crocodile River Underway, 13/09/07
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