TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Platinum-miner Eastern Platinum produced 37 798 oz of platinum-group metals (PGMs) in the third quarter from its Crocodile River mine, in South Africa, a new record for the company and an increase of 26% year-on-year.

Output benefited from a 22% increase in the run-of-mine ore hoisted and a 23% increase in the processed ore, compared with the second quarter of this year, Eastplats said in a statement.

Concentrator recoveries increased to 81%, from 80% in the June quarter and 78% in the third quarter of 2009.

The company spent the quarter focused on maintaining and improving the quality of mining while simultaneously replacing contractor crews that were terminated in May.

Eastplats dismissed 15 out of the mine's 58 stoping crews in May, as management was concerned over the safety procedures used by those crews.

"CRM's record quarter was a result of our operations becoming more streamlined, as evidenced by increased tonnages and improved concentrator recoveries," CEO Ian Rozier said in a statement.

Eastplats has also continued mine development at its Crocette project, where underground development began in April this year.

"We look forward to further production increases, as well as production from Crocette, which we expect will come on stream and contribute ounces within the next 12 months." Rozier said.

The company sold 100 203 t of chrome in the third quarter.

Shares in Easplats, which also owns the Spitzkop-Kennedy's Vale and Mareesburg projects in South Africa, rose 4,46% on Thursday morning, to C$1,64 each by 11:14 in Toronto.

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