Union representatives of the workers at the Modikwa platinum mine in Limpopo, South Africa, are to enter discussions today.

The strike over working conditions and pay demands is now in its 17th day and it is thought to have cost the joint owners of the mine Anglo Platinum and African Rainbow Mineral (ARM) in the region of R85 million (£6 million).

The union is demanding that the continuous operations (conops) programme that allows a seven-day week at the mine be phased out, although mine's management claims that this would make the mine economically unfeasible with the resulting lose of workdays.

A statement from the National Union of Mineworkers, which claims conops is unlawful, said: "The strike, which is in its second week, is set to enter its third week as mine management refuses to budge on the issue of conops."

In the 12 months to June, 131,845 ounces of platinum were produced at Modikwa. During the strike it is thought 4,845 ounces of platinum output has been lost.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd