[miningmx.com] — ANGLO AMERICAN PLATINUM (Amplats) has extended
its deadline for workers to return for duty until Monday.
In a statement issued on Friday, the company said its Rustenburg mines were
continuing to report less than 20% attendance, despite an earlier ultimatum to return
to work by Thursday evening.
“As announced on Wednesday 19 September, the current industrial action is illegal
and Anglo American Platinum has given notice to its employees that they are required
to return to work,’ the company said.
Amplats shut down five of its Rustenburg mines last week Wednesday, citing high
levels of intimidation. It earlier this week said that conditions have normalised enough
to warrant a resumption of operations.
News wire service Sapa on Friday reported that the situation remained tense
at Sondela, near Amplats’ Jabula shaft, in Rustenburg. Roads were still barricaded
with stones and residents burnt down hawkers’ stalls.
On Thursday, residents also blocked the road linking the informal settlement to the
mine and other internal roads with rocks and burning tyres, saying that this was to
prevent the police from gaining entry into the informal settlement.
