Impala Platinum (Implats) says strike action and violent disturbances at its Rustenburg mine has cost it 80,000 oz in lost production.

Production at the mine, the company's largest, accounting for 60 per cent of Implats platinum output, was halted five weeks ago following wildcat strikes by rock drill operators.

The company dismissed 17,200 workers and began the process of rehiring, before some of the workers began to riot.

Chief executive officer David Brown has indicated that it could take a month for production at the mine to get back to normal.

Continued disruption is likely to negatively impact the company's chances of achieving its 2012 production target of 915,000 oz.

Last week, Implats reported a loss of 33,000 oz in the six months to December 2011, because of increased Section 54 safety stoppages.

Sources:

Implats says has lost 80,000 ounces at Rustenburg to date (20/02/12)

UPDATE 3-S.Africa police fire tear gas at rioting platinum miners (16/02/12)

Implats lost R1.2 bln from Rustenburg disruption –CEO (16/02/12)

Impala Platinum Working With Union to Start Rustenburg Mines (12/02/12)

UPDATE 1-S.Africa's Implats fires 13,000 workers (02/02/12)

NUM accuses Implats of 'underhand' tactics (02/02/12)

Implats gives workers until Friday to reapply for jobs (25/01/12)

Impala Strike Impact Could Last Beyond Two Weeks, Goldman Says (26/01/12)

Implats says 15% of rock drill operators back at work (26/01/12)

Implats says Rustenburg strike illegal, to fire workers (24/01/12)

Implats says 5,000 workers on strike at Rustenburg (23/01/12)

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