Fri Jul 29, 2011
July 29 (Reuters) - Some 100,000 South African gold mine workers downed tools on Thursday over wages at the country's top three gold producers and one junior miner at a time when the price of the precious metal is near record highs.
In another labour dispute, coal miners walked off the job late on Sunday.
Following a pattern of recent years, many of the union demands are far above the official inflation rate, which was 5.0 percent in June. Companies say they can't afford steep increases as they grapple with other rising costs.
Many miners are lower or mid-income workers who spend much of their take-home pay on food and fuel, costs of which are rapidly rising.
Following are some facts about the current state of wage talks in the mining industry in South Africa, the world number one platinum producer and a top gold and coal exporter.
GOLD
Around 90,000 to 100,000 gold miners, or close to a fifth of the country's mining labour force, are currently striking, according to Reuters calculations based on company figures.
AngloGold Ashanti , Gold Fields and Harmony are the world's third, fourth and fifth largest gold miners. Workers are also one strike at a junior miner.
The country's chamber of mines, which is negotiating on behalf of the companies, said the two sides have moved closer to each other in talks that resume on Monday, but did not give further details.
The National Union of Mineworkers, the largest of the three unions involved in the talks, had been seeking a 14 percent increase in wages while gold employers had offered between 7 and 9 percent.
COAL
Coal miners walked off the job late on Sunday and the coal companies are also being represented by the Chamber of Mines.
Unions said some progress was made in talks on Thursday but the chamber says its offer has remained the same. The two sides will meet again on Monday.
NUM has been seeking a 14 percent raise, while employers have been offering 6 to 8.5 percent.
Anglo Thermal Coal SA , unlisted Delmas Coal, Exxaro , Kangra Coal, Optimum Coal and Xstrata Coal are the main coal companies involved.
PLATINUM
NUM, which had been asking Anglo American Platinum for a 20 percent wage increase, is looking for 15 percent. It said the company is offering 6 to 7 percent. Anglo American, the world's top platinum producer, has not commented. The two sides are due to meet next on August 18-19.
(sourced Reuters)
The world's second-largest platinum producer, Impala Platinum , is due to meet with workers on Monday. The union wants a 14 percent hike for low-wage earners and 13.5 percent for higher paid miners. Impala's latest offer is for 6 and 6.5 percent.
July 29 (Reuters) - Some 100,000 South African gold mine workers downed tools on Thursday over wages at the country's top three gold producers and one junior miner at a time when the price of the precious metal is near record highs.
In another labour dispute, coal miners walked off the job late on Sunday.
Following a pattern of recent years, many of the union demands are far above the official inflation rate, which was 5.0 percent in June. Companies say they can't afford steep increases as they grapple with other rising costs.
Many miners are lower or mid-income workers who spend much of their take-home pay on food and fuel, costs of which are rapidly rising.
Following are some facts about the current state of wage talks in the mining industry in South Africa, the world number one platinum producer and a top gold and coal exporter.
GOLD
Around 90,000 to 100,000 gold miners, or close to a fifth of the country's mining labour force, are currently striking, according to Reuters calculations based on company figures.
AngloGold Ashanti , Gold Fields and Harmony are the world's third, fourth and fifth largest gold miners. Workers are also one strike at a junior miner.
The country's chamber of mines, which is negotiating on behalf of the companies, said the two sides have moved closer to each other in talks that resume on Monday, but did not give further details.
The National Union of Mineworkers, the largest of the three unions involved in the talks, had been seeking a 14 percent increase in wages while gold employers had offered between 7 and 9 percent.
COAL
Coal miners walked off the job late on Sunday and the coal companies are also being represented by the Chamber of Mines.
Unions said some progress was made in talks on Thursday but the chamber says its offer has remained the same. The two sides will meet again on Monday.
NUM has been seeking a 14 percent raise, while employers have been offering 6 to 8.5 percent.
Anglo Thermal Coal SA , unlisted Delmas Coal, Exxaro , Kangra Coal, Optimum Coal and Xstrata Coal are the main coal companies involved.
PLATINUM
NUM, which had been asking Anglo American Platinum for a 20 percent wage increase, is looking for 15 percent. It said the company is offering 6 to 7 percent. Anglo American, the world's top platinum producer, has not commented. The two sides are due to meet next on August 18-19.
(sourced Reuters)
The world's second-largest platinum producer, Impala Platinum , is due to meet with workers on Monday. The union wants a 14 percent hike for low-wage earners and 13.5 percent for higher paid miners. Impala's latest offer is for 6 and 6.5 percent.
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