Platinum miner Barplats (BPL) says it has suspended operations at the Crocodile River Mine in South Africa.

The move from the firm, in which Impala Platinum has an 83 per cent stake, follows continuing difficulties at the mine.

In August Barplats and Implats issued a joint statement warning that the mine continued to incur substantial losses, and that efforts to turn the problems around had so far failed.

Now Barplats has said mining operations will be placed on a cost-and-maintenance basis while alternative options are evaluated.

It is thought that Barplats has become victim to the ongoing strength of the rand against the dollar.

The decision comes despite repeated efforts by Impala to sell its interest in Barplats.

Trial mining will continue at Zandfontein and supplementary ore resources will be pursued to maintain throughput at the mine's processing operation.