The South African mining industry is enjoying an employment boom, with the platinum sector helping to drive economic growth.

A total of 30,500 jobs have been created in the past 18 months, with Business Report identifying a significant upswing in the platinum group metals industry.

Platinum, coal and diamond - which between them account for around half of South Africa's mining employment - have been the main drivers behind the job creation.

Fuelled by stronger demand for pgms, the situation contrasts markedly with the gold sector - which has seen more than 11,000 jobs shed in the same period.

The employment figures offer hope to the industry after major difficulties with the impact of the rand in recent months.