Johannesburg - The meeting between
Lonmin [JSE:LON] management and representatives of striking workers
went well, the company said on Wednesday.
"The meeting last night [Tuesday]
went really well and there was a lot to talk about,"
spokesperson Susan Vey said.
"As the mine, we are pleased that
we are talking to the striking workers. However, we are not sure if
there will be any more meetings in the future."
The meeting was held at the Lutheran
Church, in Wonderkop, after the Bench Marks Foundation offered to
co-ordinate it.
The foundation is an independent
faith-based organisation monitoring corporate performance,
Police opened fire on a group of
protesting workers gathered on a hill near the mine on Thursday,
killing 34 of them and wounding 78. Another 260 were arrested on
charges of public violence and remain in custody.
In the week leading up to the shooting,
10 people - including two police officers and two security guards -
were killed.
Vey said President Jacob Zuma was at
the mine on Wednesday afternoon and addressed the 22% of the Lonmin
work force who reported for duty.
Earlier, Zuma visited Nkaneng in
Wonderkop to listen to the striking workers.
Vey said the mine would be closed on
Thursday to mourn those who were killed.
The foundation said the talks between
mine management and the representatives of striking workers were
"cordial".
"Negotiations started on Monday to
give the workers a platform to present their grievances and demands,"
said the foundation's chair Jo Seoka, who is also president of the
SA Council of Churches.
"So far the process was very
cordial and both parties listened to each other."
The protests were believed to be linked
to rivalry between the National Union of Mineworkers and the
Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union over recognition
agreements at the mine. Workers also wanted higher wages.
A cleansing ceremony would start at
6:00 on Thursday, Vey said.
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