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EPS - Eastern Platinum Limited - Eastplats Reports Record Production For The

Release Date: 16/07/2009 15:37
Code(s): EPS
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EPS - Eastern Platinum Limited - Eastplats Reports Record Production For The Quarter Ended June 30, 2009 EASTERN PLATINUM LIMITED (Incorporated in Canada) (Canadian Registration number BC0722783) (South African Registration number 2007/006318/10) Share Code TSX: ELR ISIN: CA 2768551038 Share Code AIM: ELR ISIN: CA 2768551038 Share Code JSE: EPS ISIN: CA 2768551038 Trading Symbol: ELR (TSX & AIM) EPS (JSE) NEWS RELEASE EASTPLATS REPORTS RECORD PRODUCTION FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2009 Mr. Ian Rozier, President and CEO of Eastern Platinum Limited ("Eastplats") is pleased to report on production from the Crocodile River Mine ("CRM") for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 ("Q2 2009"). The Company produced a quarterly record of 33,383 PGM ounces, up 1.3% compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2009, and up 10.1% compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2008. Production statistics for the current quarter and historical quarters are as follows: Quarter ended Production statistics June Mar 31, Dec 31, Sept 30, June 30, 30, 2009 2008 2008 2008 2009
Ounces produced 33,383 32,969 29,015 30,755 30,314 Run-of-mine rock tonnes 342,368 321,165 280,933 319,462 305,134 hoisted Run-of-mine rock tonnes 304,354 318,394 298,514 305,490 313,767 processed Development (meters) 4,326 4,573 4,604 5,599 5,575 On-reef development 2,860 2,745 2,922 3,556 3,230 (meters) Stoping units (square 51,342 45,098 46,459 39,652 44,277 meters) Head grade (grams/tonne) 4.2 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 Concentrator recovery from 80% 80% 76% 78% 73% ROM ore Chrome produced (tonnes) 82,760 77,554 69,937 64,744 37,515 Continue: Production statistics for the current quarter and historical quarters are as follows: Increase (decrease) Production statistics Q2 2009 vs Q2 2009 vs Q1 2009 Q1 2009 Ounces produced 414 414 Run-of-mine rock tonnes hoisted 21,203 21,203 Run-of-mine rock tonnes processed (14,040) (14,040) Development (meters) (247) (247) On-reef development (meters) 115 115 Stoping units (square meters) 6,244 6,244 Head grade (grams/tonne) 0.2 0.2 Concentrator recovery from ROM 0% 0% ore Chrome produced (tonnes) 5,206 5,206 As at June 30, 2009, there were 35,104 tonnes of ROM stockpiles on surface. During Q2 2009, tailings retreatment recommenced at CRM, with 135,935 tonnes of tailings processed in addition to the ROM rock. There were 695 PGM ounces recovered from tailings during the quarter included in the total production of 33,383 PGM ounces. Development meters decreased, by 5.4% compared to the first quarter and by 22.4% compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2008, as a result of changes to the mine plan implemented during the fourth quarter of 2008. Stoping units increased by 13.8% compared to the first quarter as a result of stoping crew efficiencies and additional stoping crews deployed to the Zandfontein section. Concentrator recoveries have maintained a steady rate of 80% following the upgrades to the concentrator in mid 2008. Head grade, which had remained constant at 4.0 grams/tonne throughout the past year, is up slightly at 4.2 grams per tonne this quarter. "We are pleased to report yet another quarterly production record of 33,383 ounces, which is a reflection of the improved efficiencies in stoping development and in the processing operation and we plan to continue this trend", said Ian Rozier. Second quarter financial results and conference call Eastplats is scheduled to release its full second quarter results on Thursday August 13, 2009 and host a telephone conference call on the same day at 11:00 a.m. Pacific (2:00 p.m. Eastern) to discuss these results. The conference call may be accessed by dialing 1-800-319-4610 in Canada and the United States, or 1- 604-638-5340 internationally. The August 13, 2009 conference call will be archived for later playback until Thursday August 20, 2009 and can be accessed by dialing 604-638-9010 or 1-800- 319-6413 and using the pass code 4219 followed by the number sign. The qualified person having reviewed the operating results presented in this press release is Mr. Brian Montpellier, V.P. Project Development, P. Eng. Total shares issued and outstanding: 680,557,369 July 16, 2009 For further information contact: Investor Relations Website: www.eastplats.com Email: info@eastplats.com Tel: 1-(604)-685-6851, Fax: 1-(604)-685-6493 NOMAD - Canaccord Adams Limited Ryan Gaffney - Ryan.Gaffney@CanaccordAdams.com +44 20 7050 6500 JSE SPONSOR - PSG Capital (Pty) Limited Anje Gregory - anjeg@psgcapital.com +27 21 887 9602 Certain statements included herein constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These forward- looking statements are based on certain assumptions by Eastplats and as such are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements due to factors such as general economic and market conditions, increased costs of production and a decline in metal prices. Eastplats is under no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws. Date: 16/07/2009 15:37:01 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on, information disseminated through SENS.

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