Eastern Platinum has revealed that its pgm production increased slightly during the second quarter of 2010.

The company posted output of 30,820 oz for the three-month period, which was one per cent higher than the figure of 30,531 for the previous quarter.

However, this performance was 2,563 oz lower than corresponding quarter in 2009, when 33,383 oz were produced.

In addition, run-of-mine tonnes hoisted reached 297,186 and on-reef development totalled 3,202, representing declines of two per cent and 19 per cent respectively.

Eastern noted that these decreases can largely be attributed to the dismissal of 15 contract stoping crews in May and subsequent build-up and training of new crews.

"Full replacement of these crews was completed in July 2010," read one section of a statement.

"The company expects that on-reef development and production will increase once the new crews have been properly inducted and trained."

Eastern also revealed that a surface stockpile of 10,556 tonnes (or 1,100 recoverable pgm oz) was measured at the end of the quarter, with head grade maintained at 4.1g/t and concentrator recovery rising to an aver of 80 per cent.

Canada's leading pgm producer has assets on both the eastern and western limbs of the platinum-rich Bushveld Complex in South Africa.

Source:

Eastplats Reports Operating Results for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2010 (22/07/10)
 

http://www.miningweekly.com/article/eastplats-second-quarter-output-up-1-2010-07-23

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