Strike forces Northam into the red

, one of 's smaller platinum producers, said headline losses per share for the six months to the end of December were 25.0 cents, compared with earnings of 36.3c in the first half of its previous year.

Headline EPS is the key measure of profitability in and strips out certain one-off and non-trading items.

The company said the operating loss for the period was at R99.5m, the first since 1998.

Over 7 000 members of South the of Mineworkers walked out at Zondereinde from November 3 to January 21, demanding higher wages. The strike would also impact full year earnings, the company said.

's loss signals what is to come for Anglo American Platinum [JSE:AMS], Impala Platinum [JSE:LON] and Lonmin [JSE:LON], whose workers are currently on strike.

Members of the Association of (Amcu) downed tools at the three firms four weeks ago and have vowed to continue the strike until their demands for higher wages are meet.

The company did not declare an interim dividend.