Impala Platinum has expressed optimism that the impasse reached with its favoured empowerment partner, Royal Bafokeng Resources (RBR), could soon be resolved by including the company in its Inkwala deal.

Although RBR is not currently involved with Inkwala, Impala's largest empowerment deal, Impala has revealed that RBR could become involved at a later stage.

Cathy Markus, Impala's corporate affairs director, explained that this would provide a resolution to the deadlock reached between Impala and RBR on the conversion of the group's royalty to equity.

'Although RBR have said they are not interested in being involved [in Inkwala], we don't believe the two deals are mutually exclusive,' Ms Markus told Mineweb.

She added that the R3.5 billion Inkwala deal, which will see Impala sell its Lonmin stake to an empowerment partner, was progressing well.

RBR director, Chris Molefe, explained that the firm wanted royalties as opposed to an equity stake in Impala as the royalty cash flow is devoid of risk.