South Africa's strike-hit Implats says violence is "devastating"

Mine workers protest outside the Lonmin mine in Rustenburg, northwest of Johannesburg January 23, 2014. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Impala Platinum described on Friday as "devastating" the impact on its employees of a 16-week strike at its main South African operation in Rustenburg and said it had lost more than $500 million (298 million pounds) in revenue.

The company signaled it expects the strike to drag on.