Pgm production has been halted at Platinum Australia's Smokey Hills mine in South Africa due to a workers' strike, it was confirmed yesterday (2nd March).

The company revealed that contractor employees from Redpath Mining refused to go underground at the start of the week and are engaging in unprotected industrial action.

Although Platinum Australia is uncertain about when the situation will be resolved, it believes operations could resume by the end of this week or the beginning of next week.

"[The strike] has resulted in the stoppage of almost all operations at the mine," read a statement.

"Scheduled maintenance work in the plant has been brought forward to assist in minimising the impact of the stoppage."

The company also announced that the employees have been told they will be dismissed if they do not return to work and that Redpath has a contingency plan if such an eventuality arises.

Platinum Australia revealed last week that it lost A$14.5 million (£8.7 million) in the six months to 31st December 2009, compared with a A$4.8 million loss in the equivalent period in 2008.

Source:

NissanPlatinum Australia: Labor Strike At Smokey Hills Mine (02/03/10)

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