Platinum Australia has said production of 4E platinum group metals (pgms) at its Smokey Hills complex increased significantly during the three months to the end of March.

Output of platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold increased from 5,490 oz in the previous quarter to 8,015 oz during the period.

The increase came despite industrial action carried out by employees of mining contractor JIC Mining Services.

After strikes were launched in late January, the majority of the workforce were terminated in February.

Production levels improved steadily as JIC was able to draft in experienced workers from other projects and build up its Smokey Hills workforce.

JIC inherited the original workforce from the previous Smokey Hills contractor, Redpath Mining, which Platinum Australia said was "the root cause of much of the industrial action".

The Perth-based company said the loss of production caused by the industrial action was partially offset by treating 48,191 t of chrome tailings and dump material during the quarter.

It reported that the treatment of this material at average head grade of 4.78 g/t 4E pgms and at a recovery of 35 per cent added an extra 2,600 oz to output for the quarter.

Source:


Platinum Australia Q3 production jumps (29/04/11) 

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