Platinum production at the Crocodile River Mine increased by nine per cent to 30,314 oz in the quarter ending June 30th, Eastern Platinum revealed.

Production increased by 2,489 oz from the 27,825 oz produced in March and Ian Rozier, the firm's Chief Executive Officer, said that it was welcome after an "extremely disruptive" first quarter.

He said that power cuts and reductions to power supply had hindered production in the first quarter but Eastern Platinum had recovered to achieve an increase.

"This is largely because of the extensive development during the last year which has provided us with the flexibility integral to maintaining the planned production build-up at the mine," he explained.

The increase in platinum production was achieved despite a planned ten day shut down of the concentrator during April.

In this time the chromo recovery plant was integrated into the flotation circuit to increase capacity and lower the concentrate of chrome.



Source:

Eastplats Reports Preliminary Operating Results for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2008, 16/07/08
http://www.eastplats.com/media/news/index.php?&content_id=148

Eastern Platinum says Crocodile River Q2 ounces of PGM production up 9 pct on Q1, 16/07/08
http://www.hemscott.com/news/static/tfn/item.do?newsId=65597035946829