Mining companies are still competing to acquire Barplats, the ailing South African platinum junior, despite last week's decision to place the Crocodile River mine - its only operating asset - on care and maintenance.

Barplats's 83 per cent owner, Impala Platinum, made the declaration regarding Crocodile River last week, but at least four companies are bidding for the company's assets.

They include the privately owned Salene Mining and Canadian mining finance group Hunter Dickinson Investments.

Implats financial director David Brown said 'numerous people' were interested in Barplats, which the company hopes to offload in a cash sale.

Barplats has continued to suffer this year, its problems exacerbated by the strong rand and difficult mining conditions.

The same problems, as well as renewed concentration on its lucrative Zimbabwean assets, has led Implats to seek a buyer.