A wage strike by members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) at Impala Platinum’s Rustenburg mine entered its third week on Monday.
Implats spokesperson Bob Gilmour confirmed that the mine was not operating.
”There were no developments over the weekend and this morning [Monday] the union is holding discussions with its members,” Gilmour said.
NUM spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said the union was meeting with members on Monday ”on how to move forward”, given the violence at the mine last week.
He was referring to the attack on NUM’s deputy president, Piet Matosa, on Friday at the Rustenburg mine.
A stone thrown by striking workers hit Matosa in the face, causing him to lose an eye. Seshoka said Matosa was still in hospital but was ”recuperating well.”
Implats has offered a 10% pay rise while workers have demanded a hike of 14%.
Impala Platinum’s Rustenburg mine is the biggest platinum mine in the world.
So far the strike has not affected platinum prices. — Sapa