Johannesburg - The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) is to continue discussions with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) in a bid to resolve a pay strike crippling the platinum mining sector.
"The CCMA mediators met with Amcu today (Monday) as part of the continuing mediation process," the CCMA said in a statement.
"As a result of the engagement, Amcu has convened a meeting of its leadership structures to consult and explore the way forward."
Feedback
The Amcu meeting would take place on Tuesday. Amcu had agreed to provide the CCMA with feedback on Wednesday.
Friday's session between the parties was postponed as Amcu officials had to attend a funeral.
Members of Amcu at Lonmin [JSE:LON], Anglo Platinum (Amplats) [JSE:AMS] and Impala Platinum (Implats) [JSE:IMP] embarked on a strike on January 23, demanding a R12 500 basic salary for miners.
The platinum producers proposed a three-year agreement last month. The proposal was a 9% increase for A-level workers, 8.5% for B-level and 7.5% for C-level workers in the first year.
Engagement
The CCMA has been mediating talks between the union and the platinum companies since January 24. On February 5 the talks were adjourned for the CCMA to engage with the parties individually.
On Monday morning, Amplats said it was losing about R100m a day because of a strike by Amcu which entered its fourth week.
"The company is losing 4000oz amounting to R100m in revenue daily," said Amplats spokesperson Mpumi Sithole in an e-mail.
Amplats on Saturday said it was suing Amcu for damages and losses suffered over their work stoppage.
Amplats was seeking R591m but this could rise if damages continued, said Sithole.
"The provisional quantum of the damages claim is about R591m, although as Amcu's wrongful conduct is continuing the damages will continue to accrue," she said.