The drastic R2.7-billion restructure of the Impala Rustenburg mine, involving the loss of 13 000 jobs, the closure of five shafts and cutting of 230 000 oz out of yearly platinum production, has evoked a strong rebuke from the Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, who has accused Impala Platinum (Implats) of being “careless, and mindlessly committed to implementing a predetermined outcome, no matter how unworkable that might be”. Over the next two years, Implats’ strategic review outlines a reduction of its yearly production of platinum from the current 750 000 oz to 520 000 oz a year.