JOHANNESBURG, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Impala Platinum (IMPJ.J) said Thursday it is restarting mines that had been halted for two days after an accident at one of its shafts resulted in the deaths of 12 workers.

Mining operations at platinum mines in Rustenburg - in South Africa's North West province - would be gradually ramped up to full production by Monday, Johan Theron, the spokesperson for Impala said.

The Johannesburg-based platinum shut down most of its mines in South Africa after an accident at its No. 11 shaft killed 11 workers and saw another 75 hospitalised on Monday. Impala said Wednesday another employee had succumbed to injuries, raising the toll to 12.

"The process to resume production starts today but we will be close to normal production from Monday next week," Theron told Reuters.

Impala is among South African companies that operate some of the world's deepest and ageing platinum mining shafts. South Africa is the world's top supplier of platinum, which is used in devices that help curb toxic vehicle emissions.

The mine where the incident took place would probably restart next year, said Theron, declining to say how the closure would impact group metals output. The No. 11 shaft accounts for about 15% of Impala's platinum-group metals production at the Rustenburg mining complex.

"It's safe to assume that it will be up early next year but our primary consideration right now is not to count ounces," Theron said.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/impala-platinum-resumes-mining-south-african-mines-after-deadly-accident-2023-11-30/