Platinum Australia has seen production at its Smokey Hills mine in South Africa increase over the last three months.

Reporting quarterly figures for the three months to the end of June, the firm said output rose by 8,799 4E platinum group metals (pgms) ounces, up from 8,015 oz the previous period.

The miner said it represents an increase of around 3,400 oz or 63 per cent on the production from underground sources.

Approximately 5,400 oz came from underground operations, with the balance from the treatment of chrome tailings in the previous quarter.

Total tonnes mined rose to a record 104,846, despite the "significant" impact on production caused by the death of an employee of JIC Mining Services in May.

Platinum Australia also said that following a prefeasibility study on the Rooderand project in May, planning was undertaken for the mining of a bulk sample from the existing trail pit to be run through a pilot plant as part of the implementation of the project.

It said it is now awaiting approvals, expected in the next quarter, from the Department of Minerals and Resources to allow mining to go ahead.

Meanwhile the prefeasibility study for the Kalahari Platinum Project was completed in May, finding a resource base that will deliver 115,000 4E pgm ounces per annum over a 16-year operating life.

Source:

Platinum Australia lifts output despite difficulties at Smokey Hills (29/07/11)

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