Platinum Australia says underground mining operations were restarted at its Smokey Hills Mine in South Africa on Monday (March 8) following an industrial dispute.

The contractor, Redpath Mining, completed the appeal process for about 70% of employees, who were re-employed. The employees had been dismissed for participating in unprotected industrial action at the mine.

The appeal process for the balance of the workforce should be completed by the end of the week.

Platinum Australia said the crushing plant was now operating at full capacity and it expected to restart the milling and flotation plant today (March 10).