The mining strikes that have plagued the platinum belt in Rustenburg over the past two years are playing a pivotal role in how residents vote.
Amcu has come out strongly against the latest offer to end the three-month-long strike in the platinum sector demanding an "honourable settlement".
Mining companies approaching workers directly with their latest offer could lead to instability on the platinum belt, according to the union.
Despite the strike and the odd wobble, the worldwide surplus has kept its price steady, writes Lisa Steyn.
Anglo American Platinum and Lonmin have sent force majeure notices to some suppliers of goods and services to its strike-affected operations.
With no end in sight for Amcu’s strike in the platinum sector, an analyst has predicted producers will "implement extreme measures" to break protests.
Platinum companies have claimed to be in touch with employees who want to come back to work but fear being killed by protesters if they do.
Hunger gnaws at their resolve, but striking miners won’t be swayed from their R12 500 goal.
Platinum mines linked to Robert Mugabe’s government are being excused from funding a $3-billion refinery plant.
The mining companies are enjoying some respite from the effects of the latest strike.
Talks aimed at resolving an Amcu strike on the platinum belt will resume on Monday and contine for three days.
Amcu will face its biggest hurdle yet as strikes in the platinum and gold industry reveal wide divisions within the union.
The rand dropped 1.4% in the past few days as strikes at platinum mines continue.
Anglo American Platinum’s majority union says its members will decide whether to go back to work at the mine after hearing a new job-cut proposal.
Who should take responsibility for reconciling workers and management?
Gold climbed higher than it has done in the last two weeks after Federal Reserve chair Ben Bernanke indicated stimulus would be introduced slowly.
Commodities react immediately to the US announcement that it plans to taper off quantitative easing.
According to Nomura International, platinum companies in South Africa, are at risk of losing thousands of jobs as more mines operate at a loss.
Far-sighted and apparently hands-off foreign investment is giving new vigour to the platinum sector.
Experts have called for an intervention as union tensions shake an already volatile industry.
A landmark legal case highlights the demands of traditional communities to profit from the platinum mining revolution of the past 20 years.
Shaft committees from Anglo American Platinum met discreetly in a Rustenburg park to discuss ways of adding impetus to their seven-week strike action.
To make money from South Africa’s $28-million-a-day platinum industry an investor needs nerves, brains, faith and luck.
The Mail & Guardian brings you ten facts about the precious metal – platinum.
It will take an innovative leader to steer the miner through the industry crisis, plummeting profits and labour challenges.
Despite all the price and cost upheavals of platinum, some analysts remain bullish about the metal’s future, writes Lisa Steyn.
Throughout the platinum-rich North West, mining communities such as the Bapo Ba Mogale live in poverty. Heidi Swart reports on their story.
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/ 25 November 2011
In early 2008, when South Africa’s electricity crisis first came to a head and emigration applications soared, the platinum price ratcheted up, too.
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/ 18 December 2009
The Bakubung people near Sun City have become embroiled in a boardroom battle over platinum.
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/ 19 October 2009
More than 100 miners at Two Rivers platinum mine staged a sit-in on Monday, the NUM said.
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/ 8 September 2009
Impala Platinum said on Tuesday it lost 50 000 ounces during a pay strike at its mines.
A strike at Impala Platinum will continue and there is no scheduled meeting to resume negotiations between workers and the company.