The South African government has announced it is looking to hold urgent talks with a host of mining companies, including Harmony and De Beers, to address the current job losses in the industry.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the minister for minerals and energy, revealed the plans after crisis talks held with labour unions that are threatening strike action against Harmony's plans to cut 4,900 workers at one of its mines.

She admitted the recent surge in job cuts "concerned" her and companies needed to ensure if they were cutting jobs they were going through the correct procedures, according to Business Day.

However, she claimed the platinum mining industry is looking more positive since some jobs are being created in this sector and "some new people will be brought into the industry".

Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka hopes to consult mining bosses "within a matter of days", although she feels solutions will not be easy.