Johannesburg - The National Union of Mineworkers (Num) declared a wage dispute with DRDGold [JSE:DRD] on Tuesday.
Union spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said the dispute had been referred to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.
He said Num wanted a 14% wage increase, while the company had offered 6.5% for its workers at the Crown and Ergo mines, and between 3% and 4% for its employees at the Blyvooruitzicht mine.
Chief negotiator Helen Diatile said the union had rejected DRDGold's offer.
"We will have no choice if our demands are not met but to marshal our forces for a hard-hitting strike action which has always been our last resort," Diatile said.
DRDGold was not immediately available for comment.