Northam Platinum jobs under threat

Johannesburg, South Africa — 09 April 2013 – South African platinum producer Northam Platinum says striking rock drill operators at its Zondereinde mine face possible dismissal after failing to resume their duties despite an ultimatum issued yesterday.

The “illegal” strike action relates to demands for bonus increases of about 38%, reports Fin24.

Production at the mine has been suspended since April 2‚ leading to a loss of 165kg (5,300 ounces) of metal in concentrate to date, while revenue losses amounted to R62.7 million, the company revealed.

It said the protracted interruption in drilling operations had a detrimental effect on underground working conditions, which could pose a safety risk and would deteriorate further if normal operations were not resumed expeditiously.

Northam, which is one of the country’s smaller platinum producers, managed to escape last year’s violent labour unrest unscathed.

Source: Fin24. For more information, click here.