The strike at the Modikwa platinum mine in Limpopo might come to an end on Thursday, the mine said.
”The negotiators have made extensive progress, they might come to an agreement today [Thursday],” mine spokesperson Simon Tebele said.
Tebele said the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and mine management were still locked in negotiations that started on Wednesday.
The union refused to comment on the progress of the negotiations but stated that the strike was still in force.
”Our members are still on strike. Nothing has changed at all,” NUM chief negotiator Humbulani Tshikalange said.
The union maintains that the ”continuous working week” arrangement at the mine contravenes the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the Mines Act.
The case went before the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration last Friday as no agreement had yet been reached.
About 2 000 workers downed tools at the mine on January 26, halting production and costing the mine an estimated R20-million. – Sapa