Underground workers contracted to the mine downed tools on December 16, and all 1 300 were dismissed by employer Murray & Roberts Cementation following discussions with the National Union of Mineworkers and notice to return to work, the Bermuda-registered company said.
Aquarius, which is listed on the Australian, London and Johannesburg stock exchanges, said it expects to lose about 250 attributable platinum group metals ounces in daily output due to the strike.
Marikana, located about 8km from Aquarius' flagship Kroondal operation on the western limb of South Africa's platinum-rich Bushveld Complex, is a pool and share venture with Anglo Platinum. The mine is targeting annual production of 250 000 PGM ounces, with a life of mine to 2024, Aquarius said on its website.
Marikana's opencast and Kroondal operations haven't been affected, Aquarius said. Kroondal is also operated in a venture with Angloplat, the world's largest platinum producer.
Angloplat in mid-November cut its 2007 production target to between 2.45 million and 2.5 million ounces of refined platinum from as much as 2.65 million forecast in July to take into account mine closures due to accidents and strikes.
- Dow Jones