Mathunjwa happy with latest platinum talks

Johannesburg  -  The latest round of talks aimed at ending a five-month strike in the platinum belt "went well", the president of the striking Amcu union said on Wednesday.

"The meeting went well. The talks are ongoing," Amcu leader Joseph Mathunjwa told Reuters.

A government team tasked with resolving the strike met Amcu's leadership on Tuesday and is due to sit down with the management of the three major platinum firms today.

He said on Tuesday theb union is considering a government proposal to resolve the crippling strike and will table it to its members this week.

Without detailing the recommendations put forward last week by new mining minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi, Mathunjwa said they have responded to the minister's proposal.

He said he was encouraged by Ramatlhodi's stepping in during his first week in office between Amcu and the three main platinum houses - Anglo American Platinum [JSE:AMS], Impala Platinum [JSE:IMP] and Lonmin [JSE:LON].

"For the first time we have someone who is willing to help," Mathunjwa said. "On his first day in office he set aside everything and dealt with this matter. We are encouraged by this."

Numerous rounds of talks to end what is already the most costly strike in South African mining history have fallen apart.

The labour court is currently mediating and Ramatlhodi, who was sworn in as a minister a week ago, has assembled a dedicated government team to negotiate a solution.