A strike by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has been dismissed as ineffective by platinum producer Angloplats.

A number of mines were hit by the industrial action, which took place on Monday, with workers in the Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal provinces staging the walkout.

However, Angloplats' Trevor Raymond claimed that the strike would have little impact on the company's production, despite 40 per cent of the company's workers staying away because of the action.

Mr Raymond told the South African Sunday Times: "This is only a one-day strike so I think the impact on production would be very little."

The workers took the action to protest over a number of issues, including job losses, and thousands lined the streets to make their voices heard.

Angloplats was not the only miner to be affected by the strike, as Northam Platinum confirmed that its mine in the Limpopo region was affected, although spokesperson Marion Brower was unable to quantify any likely effects of the stay-away.

The industrial action comes a week after workers in the Northern Cape, Free State and Mpumalanga took to the streets to protest at job cuts, as growing unrest in the country's mining industry looks to be emerging.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd