Johannesburg - Anglo Platinum [JSE:AMS] miners have returned
to work and abandoned their illegal strike, the National Union of Mineworkers
said on Thursday.
"The workers returned back to work last night
(Wednesday) after we agreed during the day to put an end to the strike,"
spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said.
"There are still a few workers that have not returned
to work especially in the Khomanani mine but we are confident that they will
return today (Thursday). Our next step is to engage in talks with
Amplats."
On Tuesday night workers refused to go underground following
the company's announcement that about 14 000 jobs could be lost by its plan to
stop production at four of its shafts in Rustenburg.
The Amplats announcement came after Harmony Gold Mining
Company [JSE:HAR] said it was suspending operations at its Kusasalethu mine in
Carletonville to review operations after several illegal strikes.
Amplats spokesperson Mpumi Sithole confirmed on Thursday
that workers returned to work on Wednesday night.
"I can confirm that our employees have clocked in and
have proceeded underground to commence with their shifts at our Rustenburg
operations and in the north of Pilanesburg, all is normal," she said.
Further details were not available.
Seshoka said the NUM would try to persuade the company to
not go ahead with the retrenchments.
"All of us must remain open to engage on this
issue," he added.
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