South African platinum miners have joined workers from other mining sectors for a one-day strike.

The strike was designed as a protest against poverty and unemployment in the country, which is the world's biggest producer of platinum.

Its Chamber of Mines said that the strike, carried out by South Africa's largest labour federation Cosatu, had a varied impact.

"A rough estimate is that about half of the mineworkers are participating in the protest action," said chamber official Elize Strydom to Reuters.

"We find it regrettable. If half of our employees have gone out, it's a significant financial impact for the mining industry and also it's no-work, no-pay for the workers."

Anglo Platinum, the world's biggest platinum producer, said 23 per cent of its workers had supported the strike, according to Reuters.

Impala Platinum reported that 40 per cent of its workers had failed to turn up for work.

Nearly a quarter of the workforce are without a job in South Africa.

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