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Marikana - Many striking miners at Lonmin [JSE:Lonmin] indicated via text messages that they want to accept the latest pay offer and return to work, according to the platinum producer.
However, Lonmin spokesperson Sue Vey said the exact numbers would not be compiled before the end of the week or early next week.
She said workers could sign an "intention form" at company premises or the offices of TEBA, a mine recruitment agency with offices in regions from where much of the mine labour force hails, such as rural parts of the Eastern Cape.
Earlier on Tuesday the leader of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), Joseph Mathunjwa, said union members have rejected the wage offer.
He was speaking to reporters after addressing a rally of workers near Lonmin's Marikana mine. Amcu held similar rallies in recent days at Anglo Platinum (Amplats) [JSE:AMS] and Impala Platinum (Implats) [JSE:IMP].
The producers' latest offer was for wage rises of up to 10% and other increases that would take the minimum pay package - the basic wage including the allowances - to R12 500 a month by July 2017.
The companies took their offer directly to the workers via cellphone text messages and radio and newspaper spots.
Intimidation
Industry sources maintain Amcu's militant core is using intimidation to keep members in line and say most of its workers have returned to their home villages far from the shafts, so its mass rallies are not a real indication of its support.
Mathunjwa dismissed this, telling reporters that "as you can see, all our members are here in full force."
Tuesday's rally was attended by around 5 000 Amcu activists, but it was not possible to say if they all belonged to Lonmin.
The union has around 70 000 members on the platinum belt.
However, Lonmin spokesperson Sue Vey said the exact numbers would not be compiled before the end of the week or early next week.
She said workers could sign an "intention form" at company premises or the offices of TEBA, a mine recruitment agency with offices in regions from where much of the mine labour force hails, such as rural parts of the Eastern Cape.
Earlier on Tuesday the leader of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), Joseph Mathunjwa, said union members have rejected the wage offer.
He was speaking to reporters after addressing a rally of workers near Lonmin's Marikana mine. Amcu held similar rallies in recent days at Anglo Platinum (Amplats) [JSE:AMS] and Impala Platinum (Implats) [JSE:IMP].
The producers' latest offer was for wage rises of up to 10% and other increases that would take the minimum pay package - the basic wage including the allowances - to R12 500 a month by July 2017.
The companies took their offer directly to the workers via cellphone text messages and radio and newspaper spots.
Intimidation
Industry sources maintain Amcu's militant core is using intimidation to keep members in line and say most of its workers have returned to their home villages far from the shafts, so its mass rallies are not a real indication of its support.
Mathunjwa dismissed this, telling reporters that "as you can see, all our members are here in full force."
Tuesday's rally was attended by around 5 000 Amcu activists, but it was not possible to say if they all belonged to Lonmin.
The union has around 70 000 members on the platinum belt.
