Reuters reports that wage talks are at a "critical stage" between the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) and Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), Impala Platinum and Lonmin.  

This was said by the union's president Joseph Mathunjwa on Thursday.  He would not say if Amcu had moved from its original demands of a pay hike close to 50%.  Amplats' chief executive said earlier on Wednesday that his company was "fairly close" to sealing a wage agreement with Amcu and other unions.

• This short report is at Reuters

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