Amplats fires 12,000 miners
Anglo American Platinum said today it had fired 12,000 striking South African miners at its Rustenberg operations, following a three-week strike.
The world’s largest platinum miner said it had lost 39,000 ounces in production since the start of the strike, resulting in a loss of around ZAR700m (£50m) for Amplats.
Amplats began disciplinary action for those workers still on strike last week, and affected employees will hear of their fate later on today. The 12,000 miners who did not attend a hearing have been dismissed.
Since strikes started at the group’s Rustenberg mines on 12 September, unrest has spread to its Union and Amandelbult operations. Amplats said today that they have been shut due to insufficient attendance.
Chris Griffith, chief executive of Anglo American Platinum, said today: “The company is committed to participating in the platinum centralised engagement structures driven by the Chamber of Mines, as well as exploring the possibility of bringing forward wage negotiations within our current agreements.
“Anglo American Platinum continues to work with the local authorities and other stakeholders to support the restoration of law and order to the affected areas.”