Eastern Platinum felt the effects of labour troubles at its Crocodile River Mine (CRM) in South Africa with a significant drop in third quarter production hitting profits.

Last month the Canadian platinum group metals miner reported a 29 per cent drop in third-quarter production.

Now, in an update to investors, the firm said pgm ounces sold also decreased 29 per cent - to 26,955 oz in Q3 2011 compared to 37,798 oz in Q3 2010.

Run-of-mine ore processed decreased by 27 per cent to 261,280ts in Q3 2011, against 357,219ts in the same period last year.

Head grade increased to 4.1 g/t from four grams per tonne in Q3 2010.

Average concentrator recovery decreased to 78 per cent in Q3 2011, compared to 81 per cent last year.

Earlier this month the firm had to suspend operations at CRM after a worker was fatally injured on November 7th.

Source:

Eastplats Q3 profit falls on labor issues (14/11/11) 

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