Impala Platinum has announced that minority shareholders in Zimbabwe Platinum Mines have until the 11th of September to sell their shares to the South African firm.

The original deadline was Friday the 29th of August, by which time Implats' share in the company was almost 80 per cent.

Matters were complicated by a hostile bid from Zimbabwean financial services company Barbican Holdings Ltd, so Implats' extension may be an attempt to capitalise on the announcement last week by the Zimplats board that the Barbican offer was not reliable.

Implats finance director David Brown said a late decision to sell by several large minority investors might encourage others to follow suit, another reason for granting an extension.

'Remaining shareholders should be aware that, as advised in the offer documentation, Implats may consider delisting Zimplats,' he said.