Platinum miner Aquarius Platinum Ltd. (AQP.LN) said Tuesday that work at its Zimbabwe Mimosa mine has stopped following a fire underground that led to dozens of workers being trapped for many hours.

The blaze at Mimosa mine, a 50-50 joint venture between Aquarius and South Africa's Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. (IMP.JO), affected its main conveyer belt Monday night.

Smoke from the fire prevented 75 workers from escaping as visibility was poor but by Tuesday afternoon all the workers were able to leave the mine.

Mining has been halted while a team start investigating the cause of the fire and damage to the mine, Aquarius said.

Earlier Tuesday, Impala and Aquarius said it was too soon to determine the full damage. The mining companies had said the fire is "contained," and declining to provide further details.

The mine produced 104,900 troy ounces of platinum in 2011 and employs 1,796 people, including contractors.

It's the second Impala mine which was stopped Tuesday. Work at its largest operation, the Rustenburg mine in South Africa, was also halted due to workers downing tools following an intra-union fight. Impala will lose 3,000 ounces of platinum a day at the Rustenburg mine while it remains shut.

It's been a tumultuous year for the Mimosa mine. The Zimbabwe government has been trying to enforce an indigenization law demanding miners cede 51% of mine assets to the government or government-approved entities such as community trusts.

In March, Impala and Aquarius agreed in principle to the 51% deal, but said the details of how the government will pay for its 31% option in shares are ongoing.

Aquarius shares at 1600 GMT were down 1.06%, at 84.05 pence.

-Devon Maylie, Dow Jones Newswires, +27117837848, devon.maylie@dowjones.com

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