Strains between the South African state and Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) would be settled, Mineral Resources Minister, Susan Shabangu, has promised.

Shabangu, speaking after opening the Mining Indaba 2013 in Cape Town, said she was happy and satisfied that they were talking to Amplats and these talks were going to yield positive results.

“We understand the pain faced by the platinum sector; we are part of it as government, as a country, and we need to find lasting solutions among ourselves,” the South African Press Association (SAPA) quoted her as saying.

“It is not their problem, it is our problem as a whole, as a country, and we have to share that problem in finding a common solution in that.”

Last week, Shabangu described Amplats as a “child” that was brought back into line after putting plans to retrench 14 000 workers on ice while holding talks with labour and government.

Last month, the minister warned the mining company it was putting its licence at risk and accused it of arrogance for not initially including government in the discussions.

Sapa reported that Shabangu, when asked about these remarks, replied: “It was not controversial I must say, it was a factual statement, and also it reflects a challenge when you realise the tension between partners or between stakeholders.”