Rustenburg miners go on strike

More than 700 NUM members at the Helem diamond mine in Swartruggens near Rustenburg have downed tools to demand better wages, the union says.

Gold Fields miners refuse deployment

Gold Fields workers have refused to be redeployed from South Deep to the Kloof and Beatrix mines, the National Union of Mineworkers says.

Wage agreement prevents strike at De Beers

The National Union of Mineworkers has called off a strike over wages at diamond miner De Beers.

De Beers optimistic about talks with union

De Beers said on Thursday it was continuing wage talks with South Africa's largest mine workers' union in a bid to avert a strike.

SA's gold mines hit by stayaway

Gold production was severely disrupted in parts of South Africa on Wednesday as thousands of mine workers downed tools to protest rising living costs.

NUM: Wage battle with mines looming

The National Union of Mineworkers has declared wage disputes with three major mining companies, the union said on Thursday.

Miners' union will use strike to send 'strong message'

South Africa's biggest miners' union said on Wednesday it would down tools on August 6 in a national strike that could halt production.

Gold Fields says strike ends, all workers safe

Gold Fields, the world's fourth-largest gold producer, on Friday confirmed that the illegal strike at its Beatrix mine near Welkom in the Free State had been called off.

Medical aid established for ex-miners

An investment of R42-million was placed into a project for a medical aid for ex-miners on Thursday. The agreement aims to improve public health facilities that will be largely utilised by ex-miners in South Africa and neighbouring countries, for the benefit of medical examinations.

'Deliberate effort' behind attacks

South Africa's security chief on Friday accused rightwingers linked to the former apartheid government of fanning xenophobic violence that has spread to Cape Town, the second largest city and tourist centre. At least 42 people have been killed and thousands driven from their homes in 12 days of attacks.

Violence adds to economic woes

Anti-foreigner violence in South Africa has already hit the mining sector, a mainstay of the domestic economy, and threatens to undermine confidence among international investors, analysts say. Even before the unrest broke out, the outlook for the South African economy was clouded by uncertainty.

JSE sharply higher on miners, world markets

South African stocks were sharply higher at noon on Monday, led by miners on stronger metal prices, while easing United States economic concerns added to the upbeat mood. Local cellphone firm MTN Group was in focus again on ongoing speculation that an Indian firm might launch a takeover bid for the company, traders said.

Gold Fields' South Deep mine still closed

Gold Fields' South Deep mine remained closed on Monday ahead of a meeting between the company and the Gauteng mines safety inspector to determine whether conditions were safe enough for operations to continue. Nine people died at the company's South Deep mine last Thursday.

Mining to resume at Gold Fields after accident

Mining operations at Gold Fields' South Deep mine will resume on Monday, the company said on Saturday, two days after nine workers were killed in an accident. Gold Fields said no mining would take place at South Deep until after a meeting Monday morning between management, unions and a provincial mining inspector.

Nine workers dead in mine accident

Nine miners have died after an accident at the Gold Fields South Deep mine near Randfontein in Gauteng, the chief inspector of mines said on Thursday. Thabo Gazi said he received a report about the accident at about 12pm. It is believed that a conveyance in an inclined shaft fell down the shaft after the rope snapped.

Minister: Safety at work a constitutional imperative

Working conditions that threaten the lives of mine workers flout the laws of the country, Minister of Minerals and Energy Buyelwa Sonjica said on Tuesday. "Safety at work is a constitutional imperative that we all have to uphold," she said at Anglo American's Safety Summit in Johannesburg.

CCMA brokers agreement in Nelspruit 2010 stadium strike

Intervention by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Wednesday brought an end to the pay dispute between workers and management at the 2010 Soccer World Cup Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. Spokesperson Lusanda Myoli said an agreement was reached after two days of intense negotiations.

Nelspruit Cup-stadium strike continues

Workers at the 2010 Soccer World Cup Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit are still striking, while talks with management and the government continue, the National Union of Mineworkers said on Friday. About 500 workers downed tools on Wednesday morning demanding better pay.

De Beers urges NUM to engage over grievances

De Beers on Friday urged the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) to "engage" with it, after a protest by Cullinan diamond mine workers over gain-sharing, health and safety, and discrimination. De Beers claimed that NUM had made errors of fact, including referring to mines the company no longer operated.

Workers bring diamond mine to a halt

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Thursday said that production at the Golden Falls mine, formerly Cape Diamonds Elandslaagte mine, has been brought to a halt by mineworkers who have downed tools until they are awarded better wages. The NUM said the workers downed tools on Wednesday and were willing to strike indefinitely.

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