ROYAL Bafokeng Platinum last week reported that its platinum group metal (PGM) production fell during its latest March quarter. The drop in output was attributed to the decline in the recovery of precious metal from the ore that the company mined during the three-month period. The grade fell by 10 percent to 3.87 grams per ton, which had a negative effect on recoveries, with overall concentrator recovering ending 2 percent lower than the same period in 2014, the company said. Total platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold metals in concentrate production fell 6 percent to 57 500 ounces in the quarter ended March down from 61 000 ounces in the March 2014 quarter. Royal Bafokeng Platinum shares on the JSE dropped 0.97 percent to R51.06 on Friday. – Staff Reporter