Northam Platinum has secured an agreement with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) over a new pay deal.

The platinum miner had been in talks with the union for some time, with the negotiations finally resulting in a new deal this week.

Northam spokesperson Marion Brower told I-Net Bridge that the two sides had settled on an eight per cent wage increase.

The deal will take effect retrospectively, covering the period from July 1st, 2004 to June 30th, 2005.

The increase takes the form of a wage hike of 7.5 per cent, as well as a service rise of half a per cent.

Elsewhere the NUM is continuing to negotiate with both Angloplat and Implats - the world's two biggest miners - over new pay deals.

Currently strikes are continuing at the two companies, with negotiations taking on increasing urgency.

Last night Angloplat spokesman Mike Mtakati told Reuters that a "fresh offer" was on the table, and that a "settlement is imminent".