Mining companies say their hands are forced by violent protests, writes Allan Seccombe A MAJOR crisis is brewing in the Steelpoort Valley in Limpopo, where platinum and chrome are mined, putting billions of rand of investments in mines and smelters under threat of suspension or closure.Chrome and platinum prices have fallen and the production challenge caused by violence is putting an extra strain on the producers of the minerals.Mining-related businesses there employ 25,000 people and any suspension or closure of mines and smelters there would have potentially crippling consequences.A Greater Tubatse Municipality document for this year shows unemployment in south-eastern Limpopo soaring from 41% to 56% as the population there grows a projected 34% to 580,000 people.A delegation of mine officials intends meeting the ministers of mineral resources and safety and security to discuss the deterioration of law and order in the area and its effect on decisions to keep their operations ope...

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