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Govt still hopeful of mine strike deal

Pretoria - The mining ministry indicated on Monday that it is of the view that platinum mines and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) do not have the appetite to continue with the wage strike impasse for much longer.

Crucial talks facilitated by a government task team led by Minerals and Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi failed to bring an end to a five-month strike in the platinum sector.

"The minister will no longer be involved," mining ministry spokesperson Mahlodi Muofhe told SAfm after the talks ended without a resolution.

"The parties committed to continue to talk to each other."

"We don't think that the parties have the appetite to continue with this impasse for much longer," he added.

The bruising strike has halted mines that normally account for 40% of global platinum output. It also forced the economy into contraction in the first quarter of this year.

Amcu leader Joseph Mathunjwa said the union made many concessions during the negotiations.

"We actually moved twice to make employers move closer to us," he said, but added that the union did not compromise its demand for a R12 500 a month basic wage, which excludes allowances.

About 70 000 Amcu members downed tools in January at Anglo American Platinum [JSE:AMS], Impala Platinum [JSE:IMP] and Lonmin [JSE:LON].

The companies said in a joint statement that they would "review further options available to them", but gave no further details.

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