Negotiations between the striking members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and Modikwa mine management in Burgersfort, Limpopo, reached a deadlock on Friday despite the intervention by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, the union said on Friday.
The strike, which costs joint-owners Anglo Platinum and African Rainbow Minerals at least 5 000 tonnes of ore per month, resulting in revenue losses of R5-million each day, is set to enter its third week next week.
The main sticking point has been the issue of continuous operations, under which miners have to work seven days a week without a weekend break.
NUM said the management of the mine has refused to compromise on the issue of continuous operations in a lengthy meeting that started on Wednesday.
ARM spokesperson, Pieter Rorich, was not immediately available for comment. – I-Net Bridge