UPDATE 1-S. Africa's AMCU union says members support strike at Implats

(Adds details)

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 13 (Reuters) - South Africa's Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) said on Monday its workers had voted in favour of a strike over wages at Impala Platinum IMPJ.J , the world's second-largest producer of the metal.

"They said to go on strike," AMCU spokesman Jimmy Gama told Reuters. He did not give other details nor did he say when the strike was due to start.

AMCU has been given approval from a state mediator to launch strikes at Implats, as well as industry leader Anglo American Platinum AMSJ.J , and the third-largest producer, Lonmin Plc

LMI.L .

A simultaneous strike at all three platinum companies would hit at least half of global production of the metal and could take out as much as two-thirds if Amplats' joint venture operations are also impacted.

The union reduced its demands at Implats late last year but is still seeking a minimum monthly wage of 12,500 rand ($1,200) for entry-level workers from Amplats and Lonmin - more than double current levels - saying it wants a "living wage."

AMCU will be canvassing its members at Amplats, a unit of global mining group Anglo American , and Lonmin later this week. The union will hold a media briefing in Johannesburg on Wednesday about its current round of wage negotiations.

AMCU has emerged as the dominant union on South Africa's platinum belt over the last two years after wresting tens of thousands of members from the once unchallenged National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in a violent turf war in which dozens of people were killed.

(Reporting by Ed Stoddard; Editing by David Dolan)

((Edward.Stoddard@thomsonreuters.com)(+27 11 775 3160)(Reuters Messaging: edward.stoddard.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: IMPLATS STRIKE/