Lonmin Platinum has announced it is to convert the single-sex hostel accommodation at its South African mines into family units.

The contracts to adapt the buildings and establish 5,500 new homes are worth R45 million in total and have been awarded to three construction companies, all of which are under the stewardship of black women.

Lonmin hopes to have moved the entirety of its mining workforce, of whom currently 40 per cent live in single-sex hostels, to the new accommodation in stages within the next five years.

Alistair Ross, president of Lonmin, told Mining Weekly: "Of the three winning bidders, we have awarded 50 per cent of the tender value to a company which is owned and managed by women from the greater Lonmin community. This is a commitment we have made in our social and labour plan."

Earlier this week Lonmin, which has been singled out for praise for its commitment to ethical business practice, announced that it is pledging $100 million to South African black-economic-empowerment (BEE) platinum partners to help participation in the company's projects.

The announcement came as part of a partnership with the International Finance Corporation, which also aims to prevent HIV in local communities.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd