Johannesburg - Impala Platinum Holdings [JSE:IMP] announced
on Thursday that it had dismissed a further estimated 13 000 mineworkers who
participated in an illegal work stoppage at its Rustenburg operations.
This brings to around 17 200 the number of striking workers
who have been dismissed by the group for failing to return to work by the
deadline on Wednesday.
A process of rehiring for those employees who wished to
reapply for their positions would be undertaken in due course, Implats said.
The strike began on January 20 when around 5 000 rock drill
operators downed tools, apparently over wage grievances. In an apparent show of
solidarity, they were joined on strike on Monday by the majority of workers at
the mine.
The mine employs about 18 000 workers.
According to Implats, the mine is losing around 3 000 ounces
of platinum per day in production.
At 13:13, Implat's shares were trading at R170.80 per share
on the JSE, down R4.26 or 2.43% on Wednesday's closing price.