Metals and mining company Xstrata has reported lower pgm production volumes for 2010 than it recorded in the previous year, blaming the result on lower-grade areas being mined at its Eland operation.

Pgm volumes were 11 per cent lower than in 2009 for Xstrata, which also attributed the figures to delays in obtaining the Section 102 mining right, although this setback was partially alleviated by improved concentrator recovery.

Meanwhile, the company's development of the western decline shaft at Eland is still in progress and production is expected to begin during the first quarter of 2011.

Looking ahead, Xstrata stated: "Production from underground operations will deliver 250,000 tonnes per month by the end of 2013 and reach steady state capacity of 500,000 tonnes per month during the last quarter of 2015."

Recently, Xstrata completed the construction of a magnetite plant in Queensland, Australia, with exports expected to begin in the first half of 2011.

Source:



Production report for the 12 months ended 31 December 2010 (01/02/11)

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