Aquarius Platinum lost an attributable 250 ounces of platinum group metals (PGMs) per day due to a strike at its Marikana mine in South Africa, the company said on Wednesday.
Marikana is a pool-and-share venture with Anglo Platinum, the world’s biggest platinum producer.
The mine lost 500 ounces of PGMs a day during the strike by contracted workers of its main contractor at the mine, Murray & Roberts Cementation, Aquarius said in a statement.
Marikana’s opencast and Kroondal operations had not been affected by the work stoppage, the firm added.
”The reason behind the unprotected industrial action is related to bonus payments,” Aquarius said.
All 1 300 MRC employees at Marikana’s underground operations were dismissed by the contractor for participating in an illegal industrial action, Aquarius said.
Marikana, produced 35 200 ounces of PGMs during the September quarter, of which 50% was attributable to Aquarius. – Reuters