South Africa's umbrella union, COSATU, has announced a strike on August 6th that could halt the production at some of the country's biggest platinum mines.

The strike has been called in protest against job cuts that are linked to the power crisis.

Firms including Anglo Platinum and Impala Platinum could be hit by the strikes and further losses would be difficult to recoup, particularly after the energy crisis earlier this year and the rising price of electricity.

The Chamber of Mines, which represents the mining firms across South Africa, said it would be disappointed if the strike went ahead.

"It will add to the losses incurred by the sector after it shut down in January," Roger Baxter, head negotiator of the Chamber of Mines, told Reuters.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has backed the strike and will also hold a series of protests, starting on July 9th and finishing on July 23rd.

Regional protests are expected to send a strong message to mining firms as well as the government and Frans Baleni, the General Secretary of the Num, said that miners are suffering.

"They can no longer afford their houses while the price of basic food is unaffordable, sending millions into starvation," he told Reuters.



Source:
S.African miners union sets August 6 strike date, 3/07/08
http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnBAN324434.html