The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has warned that the Modikwa platinum mine could be facing strike action.

The organisation said that the mine, along with the world's number four gold miner Gold Fields (GFI), was facing a potentially volatile workforce.

Unresolved matters concerning retrenchments and wages are said to be at the heart of the problems.

Problems at Modikwa, a joint venture between Angloplat and African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), centre particularly on wages.

A lack of progress at the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration's third-party facilitation process this week has seen relations worsen.

At present hopes of reconciliation between union demands for a ten per cent wage and management's five per cent offer appear slim.

Meanwhile, the NUM is also calling for improved healthcare, including coverage for including family members.

"Our consultation with membership at the mass meeting on Thursday afternoon has resolved that we should give the company time to respond to our demands. "

"Failure to do so will leave us no option but to go on strike sooner rather than later," the NUM declared in a statement to Business Day.