[miningmx.com] — THE National Union of Mineworkers (Num) said on Wednesday it was heading for a strike at Impala Platinum (Implats) because of a wage dispute.
Num said it was demanding pay increases of between 13.5% and 14% on a one-year deal, almost triple the inflation rate, while the company is offering increases of between 6% and 6.5% on a three-year deal.
“We are heading for a strike once again,” said Eddie Majadibodu, Num’s chief negotiator at Implats.
Company officials could not immediately be reached for comment. Last year, the union and Implats agreed on a 7.5% to 8% rise in wages after weeks of talks that narrowly avoided a strike.
Strikes are looming across South Africa’s key mining sector, including at world number one platinum producer Anglo American Platinum, and in the gold and coal industries, as unions seek wage increases far above inflation.
Mining houses say they can ill afford such hikes as they are grappling with other soaring costs. Disruption to production could push up the prices of platinum and gold.
