Platinum mining production remained largely unaffected by the strike held by mining workers yesterday (Wednesday).

Anglo Platinum said that there had been minimal disruption at its Rustenberg mining operations as only 4.4 per cent of staff were absent, but 72.7 per cent of workers stayed away from the morning shift at its Twickenham mine in Limpopo.

Impala Platinum said that its production at the Rustenburg operations had not been affected while a 60 per cent attendance at its Marula mine ensured minimal impact on production.

But South Africa's Chamber of Mines (COM) was disappointed with the effect of the strike and claimed that it was "counterproductive".

Speaking to Mining Weekly Online, Frans Barker, Senior Executive of the organisation, said the COM had been working closely with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) with the aim of establishing better working conditions.

He said they had been successful in preventing job losses and securing additional power for mines that were the worst affected.



Source:
SA mine strike 'counterproductive', says Chamber, 23/07/08
http://www.miningweekly.com/article.php?a_id=138766
SAfrica's Angloplat says unaffected by strike, 23/07/08
http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnWEA2863.html