The continuing strike at Anglo Platinum's Modikwa mine has begun to take its toll on platinum production levels.

When the strike began last week, officials from Anglo Platinum and its partners in the mine, African Rainbow Minerals, reported that work was being carried out as normal and that the industrial action would not have an impact on production levels.

However, Simon Tebele, Anglo Platinum spokesman, has announced that the mine has already lost 25,000 tonnes of ore in production, amounting to around 6,000 ounces of platinum group metals (pgms).

Mr Tebele added that the two companies are still in negotiations with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) to break the deadlock and get the miners back to work. He commented that the firms are confident of a breakthrough in talks in the near future.

However, a spokesman for the NUM has argued that a resolution will only be achieved if the mine's management agree to the union's demands. The strike is understood to be related to disputes over benefits and allegations of racial discrimination.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd