Eastern Platinum has announced an 80 per cent increase in its production levels for the three month period to September 30th.

The firm has announced its production grew from 12,570 ounces of platinum group metals (pgms) in the first quarter of 2006, to 22,666 ounces of pgms in the first full quarter of production for the company.

Eastern Platinum's Barplats Crocodile River Mine continued its progress during the period to September 30th, with a 12 per cent higher mining rate than during the first quarter of 2006, at 64,800 tonnes per month.

The mine now also has a monthly capacity of 180,000 tonnes per month, thanks to the commissioning of a second 90,000 tonne per month mill.

Commenting on the company's performance during the period, president and chief executive Ian Rozier said: "Results on all fronts are very encouraging, and combined with the very strong fundamentals for platinum and rhodium, suggest that our investment in Barplats, made just over six months ago, was a very timely and cost effective acquisition."

Ÿ Adfero Ltd