Eastern Platinum has revealed that pgm production at its Crocodile River Mine declined by ten per cent during the first quarter of 2010.

The company announced that Q1 output at the South African facility was 30,531 oz, compared with 34,000 oz over the equivalent three-month period in 2009.

A slow start-up after the December break was highlighted as the main reason for the dip, although Chief Executive Ian Rozier claimed that production will pick up again in Q2.

He said: "Our mining rates have picked up to normal levels since January and the head grade and pgm recoveries have remained consistent, putting us on track for a much more productive second quarter."

The late start also impacted on underground development, with run-of-mine tonnes hoisted and processed declining by ten per cent and total development metres down 14 per cent on a quarterly basis.

Head grade stayed at 4.1g/t, concentrator recovery was recorded at 78 per cent and a surface stockpile of 12,236 tonnes was recorded, representing 1,174 oz of recoverable pgms.

Eastern Platinum is Canada's largest pgm producer and currently has interests on both the western and eastern limbs of the Bushveld Complex in South Africa.

Sources:

UPDATE 1-Eastern Platinum says South African mine output falls (16/04/10)

Eastplats reports lower Q1 output, sees better Q2 (16/04/10)

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