Perth – Mineral resources minister Susan Shabangu said on Wednesday that a wave of labour unrest and violence in the mining sector that killed 44 people this month will have an impact on potential investments.

“It is a cause for concern. 

“The tragedy does impact on any potential investments,” she told reporters on the sidelines of a mining conference in Perth.

The government would not allow a repeat of the strife at the Lonmin platinum mine [JSE:LON] but mining returns could not be made at any cost, the minister said.  

Shabangu also said mine nationalisation could not advance the interests of South Africa.