A court has ordered that workers at two South African mines owned by Aquarius Platinum return to work, the firm said on Friday.
”The court has granted an interdict, but it has not been served,” spokesperson Charmane Russell said, adding the firm was pursuing talks to resolve the situation before taking the legal route.
If employees do not obey a court interdict that has been served, they may be dismissed.
About 4 000 employees of a contractor at the Kroondal and Marikana mines went on strike, but around 60% of production at Marikana and 15% of output at Kroondal was continuing, the firm said on Thursday.
The strike stems from demands for a bonus made by employees of the contractor, Murray & Roberts Cementation, and also follows the dismissal of 108 load-haul dumper operators on Tuesday, Aquarius has said.
The rest of the contractor workforce went on a sympathy strike on Wednesday.
Under South African labour law, workers must follow a series of procedures before going on strike, including mediation. Aquarius said the National Union of Mineworkers had not sanctioned the strike, but was helping to resolve the issues.
Kroondal, which is a pool and share operation with Anglo Platinum, produced 102 079 ounces of platinum group metals (PGMs) during the quarter to end March, of which half was attributable to Aquarius.
Marikana, also a pool and share venture with Angloplat, produced 30 148 ounces of PGMs during the March quarter, of which 50% was attributable to Aquarius.
Aquarius shares in London fell 0,20% to 1 501 pence by 7.15am GMT. – Reuters