adminJohannesburg. — Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd (IMP), the second-largest producer of the metal, said it is seeking an explanation for a strike by about 2 000 workers at its Marula mine in South Africa.No labour union or group of employees has taken responsibility for the walk-out that started July 4, Johan Theron, a spokesman for Johannesburg-based Impala, said yesterday by phone.
“We are trying to establish who’s in charge and what it is they want.”
Workers could be discontented about a wage deal signed in 2013 that’s valid through June 2015, he said.
The strike follows a five-month stoppage by at least 70 000 workers at other mines owned by Impala and shafts operated by Anglo American Platinum Ltd (AMS) and Lonmin Plc.
The walk-out, which paralysed most production sites in the country that is the world’s biggest supplier of mined platinum, ended June 24 when the companies signed a wage agreement with the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, or AMCU.
The National Union of Mineworkers is the majority union at Marula, which produced 39,200 ounces of platinum, or 6 percent of Impala’s total mined output during the six months ended December.
Impala also runs the world’s largest platinum mine near Rustenburg, north-west of Johannesburg.
The NUM isn’t aware of the reason for the stoppage and is waiting for the outcome of a meeting between mine management and workers, Phillip Vilakazi, a regional secretary for the union, said by phone.
Employees can be fired under South African law for joining strikes that start before dispute processes have been exhausted. — Bloomberg.
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