It reported that a worker died on Monday in an engineering-related accident at its Kusasalethu mine.

Northam says takeover of Royal Bafokeng Platinum by Implats would be anti-competitive as it would concentrate significant mineral reserves with one company.

Gecamines holds minority stakes in several of the world's largest copper and cobalt projects.

“Supply is fairly constrained and you will not see supply from mines growing in the near or medium-term future,” said the World Platinum Investment Council.

KCM will appoint an adviser to help it find an equity investor willing to fund the mine's expansion.

The increase is due to the lifting of certain exemptions granted, says the director of the ministry's statistics unit.

The workers at COBAD went on strike on May 26 to demand better pay and conditions.

The exit of Vi Holding from Darwendale Platinum brings to an end 16-years of Russian involvement with the project.