International Ferro Metals said that its second quarter output was below its maximum capacity, after the ferrochrome producer was forced to shut down operations at its two key furnaces for repairs.

IFM also said that construction of a retreatment plant by mining peer Anglo Platinum was running behind schedule and it expects to get the first feed of chrome concentrate in December 2010.

IFM said that both furnaces were shut in November for 5 days leading to a fall in output.

In September 2010, the company had said production at the two furnaces was below maximum capacity, as roof leaks slowed led to a shutdown in operations.

For the last 3 months of 2010, ferrochrome output was at 47,054 tonnes. Ferrochrome output in the year-ago period was 57,942 tonnes.

In February 2010, IFM had inked a deal with Anglo Platinum that would see IFM getting 15,000 tonnes of chromite every month from the world's top platinum producer.

(Sourced from www.reuters.com)