Lonmin platinum company and South Africa's main labor unions have reached a “peace” deal, after police in August killed 34 workers during a protest by striking miners. However, a key union and some miners refused to sign the accord.

The workers walked off the job nearly a month ago, raising concerns about the impact on South Africa's lucrative mining sector.

The agreement is intended to pave the way for talks on a pay dispute between the world's third largest mining company and mine workers.

The deal was signed early Thursday between Lonmin and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). It was rejected by the rival Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), which accuses NUM of having close ties with the government.

The workers' average monthly salary is currently about $480. They want their salaries tripled.