A fire in Montana has led to the suspension of a night time shift at a platinum mine.

PFM producer Stillwater Mining said on Wednesday that it had cancelled its night shift at the Stillwater Mine.

"The changing situation of the Derby fire in Stillwater and Sweet Grass counties," leading the company "to take precautionary measures," the firm said in a statement.

The Derby Mountain fire is thought to be covering over 150,000 acres and has destroyed around 20 homes.

Although there is not thought to be any immediate danger to workers, the smoke from the blaze had led to dangerous driving conditions in the area around the mine and has caused some road closures in the vicinity.

It is unclear whether Wednesday's closure has been repeated during subsequent nights.

The company is the largest primary producer of PGMs outside of Russia and South Africa and is the only manufacturer of platinum and palladium in the US.

Stillwater announced second quarter net losses of $2.3 million last week.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd