Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant would meet with unions in the platinum belt on Friday, her spokesman said.

Musa Zondi said the meeting would take place in Rustenburg, but would not give details of what would be discussed at the meeting.

He said a press release would be distributed later on Friday about the outcomes of the meeting.

On Thursday, Oliphant met the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) to work on defusing tensions in the wake of protests at Lonmin’s Marikana mine, in which 44 people were killed over a week.

In a statement, she described that meeting as cordial.

“Amcu briefed us on their side of the story and what… issues they are confronted with in the mines.”

Oliphant said the parties agreed to continue talking to find a solution, which she was optimistic about.

Last Thursday, 34 people were killed and over 70 injured at Lonmin’s platinum mine when police opened fire on them.

Amcu is one of several unions, including the National Union of Mineworkers and Solidarity, with representation at the mine.

The protests at the mine were believed to be linked to rivalry between Num and Amcu over recognition agreements at the mine. Workers also wanted higher pay.

On Friday morning, around 100 employees at Anglo American Platinum’s Thembelani mine in Rustenburg refused to start work, saying the company had not responded to a memorandum of demands delivered earlier. – Sapa