The chief executive of Anglo Platinum, Ralph Havenstein, has called on the South African government to support the country's jewellery sector.

Following the success of investment and export schemes in the automobile sector, Mr Havenstein believes similar development strategies could prove beneficial in the jewellery industry.

His remarks come in response to the SA government's suggestion that the mining industry should explore the possibility of expanding into other sectors in order to better utilise the minerals and metals produced in the country - a process known as beneficiation.

However, according to Business Day, Mr Havenstein believes that support schemes are preferable to the mining industry expanding into new areas where they have little expertise.

"In the mining industry, we are best at producing metal, not in converting metal into widgets. You have to stick to your knitting," he argued.

"Beneficiation is something we would like to see happening we have nothing against it."

He cited the success of the Motor Industry Development Programme, which has helped South Africa to increase its production of catalytic converters, to back up his claim.