Amplats set to re-open Rustenburg

Anglo American Platinum - or Amplats - said it plans to resume operations in Rustenburg after work was suspended last week to protect staff.

The firm, which accounts for around 40% of global platinum supply, took the decision to stop operations in the area to protect the safety and security of its employees from "outside intimidation".

Industrial relations in the South African mining sector remain on a knife edge a month after 44 people died during violent protests at Lonmin's Marikana project close to the Rustenburg area.

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"The situation in Rustenburg remains calm and our current intention is to resume operations on Tuesday morning, 18 September, which will provide time for the government to implement further security measures," Amplats said.

"As we expect it will be possible for our employees to return to work safely on Tuesday, the paid suspension period will end on Monday evening."

Last week 1,500 marchers had confronted riot police at Amplats' Bathopele project, attempting to encourage its workers to join protests which have been growing across South Africa.

Wage negotiations between Lonmin and its workers were due to begin again this morning, after miners turned down an initial offer.

Acting Chief Executive Simon Scott wrote in the Sunday Times that the protests had been a "wake up call" for the company and for the rest of South Africa.

"For Lonmin, the starting point is to acknowledge that our company must go through a process of self-reflection," Scott wrote. "What I can promise is that we are committed to playing our part."

South African police have cracked down on the protestors, last week swooping on settlements in early morning raids to remove weapons.

Mining accounts for about 20% of South Africa GDP and the country is home to 80% of known reserves of platinum.

Platinum prices have risen 15% since the outbreak of violence at Marikana.