ANGLO American Platinum Corporation — the world’s biggest platinum producer — on Monday said it has “as a last resort” retrenched 415 employees at its Lebowa mine in Northern Province. Amplats spokesperson Johan Adler said Lebowa has not been performing well for “quite a few years”. “We explored everything as required by the Labour Relations Act before deciding on this action as a last resort,” said Adler. He said the retrenchments, which took effect from last Friday, are “across the board” and reduces the workforce at Lebowa Platinum Mines to some 1600. No details of severance pay or the overall retrenchment package were given as Amplats said this is a matter between management and the various trade unions and employee assocations involved.