Sylvania Resources saw its pgm production increase by 22 per cent in the first quarter of 2010, it emerged today (28th April).

New figures from the platinum dump retreater suggest that output reached 8,294 oz for the three-month period, in comparison to a total of 6,807 oz for the December quarter.

A large factor in this improvement was the performance of the Millsell operation, which is located on the western limb of the platinum-rich Bushveld Complex in South Africa.

The facility produced 2,407 oz from 32,315 tonnes of pgm ore feed, with head grade rising from 2.53g/t to 2.72g/t and an average recovery of 40.4 per cent.

Output at Steelport, on the eastern limb of the Bushveld Complex, increased by over 1,000 oz on a quarter-on-quarter basis to 3,343 oz, while float recoveries were up by 53 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Lannex project - where operations have been temporarily suspended as the company awaits final approval to build a new tailings facility - produced 1,425 oz from an average head grade of 2.23g/t.

Sylvania also revealed that its Mooinooi operations are still in the commissioning phase, with cold commissioning of the Doornbosch project pencilled in for next month.

The company's tailings retreatment business is constructed around a service and supply agreement with Samancor Chrome.

Source:

PGM-miner Sylvania lifts output, revenue (28/04/10)

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