[miningmx.com] — SOUTH African platinum producer Northam Platinum has lost an estimated 12 000 ounces due to the ongoing strike at its Zondereinde mine in Limpopo.
The company said it is losing an estimated 1 000 ounces of production for every day the strike continued and it looks like there is no immediate end in sight.
Northam on Wednesday said the strike, which is now in its third week, was continuing following the failure of the second round of mediation with
the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) at the CCMA on Tuesday.
The company said it remains firm in its rejection of the NUM’s demands of a 15% increase in basic wages, the collapsing of a number of wage bands that increase the demand to 19.5%; and the increase in the living out allowance from the current R1 600 per month to R3 500 per month.
In aggregate the total cost to company equates to an increase of 32%, Northam said.
The company has already revised its wage offer to an increase of 8.5% from 8% previously.
This compares to Impala Platinum’s (IMP) wage agreement last month, which provides for a 7.5% pay rise to the highest-paid workers and an 8% increase to the lowest-paid workers.
Impala Platinum is the world’s second largest platinum producer with several operations, while Northam is a far smaller player with just one operation.
“This is a disappointing outcome after the best efforts of the CCMA,” said Northam chief executive Glyn Lewis.
“Nevertheless, we remain available and committed to seeking a resolution to this deadlock which will serve to satisfy the best interests of the company, its employees and its shareholders,” he said.
