Stillwater Mining Company confirmed yesterday (10th December) that operations have resumed at its East Boulder platinum and palladium mine, the Great Falls Tribune reports.

The firm originally suspended work at the mine on 17th November and laid off 526 staff due to the current depressed conditions in the PGM markets.

But now it has reached an agreement with United Steel Workers International that will see 240 miners and support employees return, plus the transfer of 40 hourly workers to its Nye mine.

However, the company has confirmed the inevitable consequences of the move, namely that production will be affected and that it will have to alter its approach at both operations.

Vice-President John Stark told the news provider: "We do plan on getting more ounces with less people, proportionately."

Stillwater is looking to meet annual production targets of between 105,000 oz and 120,000 oz in the next 18 to 24 months, which compares with figures of 178,200 oz last year and 192,000 oz in 2006.



Source:

East Boulder mine operating with reduced staff (10/12/08)
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20081210/NEWS01/81210022