Amplats workers throw down gauntlet as mining strikes spread
RUSTENBURG — South African miners on an illegal strike against Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), the world’s top platinum producer, defied management threats of dismissal on Friday, throwing down the gauntlet as another wildcat stoppage hit the country’s restive mining sector.Strikes in the mining sector spread further on Friday, with workers at the Samancor Chrome mine in Mooinooi, Rustenburg, staging an underground sit-in on Friday to demand a R12,500 monthly salary.Also on Friday, Village Main Reef said 1,700 workers at its Blyvoor operation had downed tools in an illegal strike, and Petmin said about 345 contractors employed at its Tendele Coal Mining subsidiary had embarked on an illegal strike. The contractors, employed by Sandton Plant Hire, have been given ultimatum to return to work or face disciplinary action, which could include dismissal.Amplats said on Thursday it would begin disciplinary action against illegal strikers and could fire them. Four of Amplats’s Rustenburg...
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