Platinum strike continues despite meeting

Johannesburg - The ongoing strike in the platinum sector continued on Tuesday, following a meeting between employers, labour union Amcu, and the CCMA.

"The companies continue to explore ways to resolve the strike with all relevant stakeholders," Lonmin spokesperson Sue Vey said in a statement.

A meeting was held at Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) on Monday, attended by the producers and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu).

Vey said progress to settle the dispute and end the strike could only be made if Amcu moved towards the "settlement zone of nine percent".

Impala Platinum spokesperson Johan Theron said in a statement the parties were still far apart following the meeting.

"[It] was a continuation of the mediation process to get the parties closer to each other," he said.

"We remain open to negotiation, but require Amcu to moderate their demands to a realistic settlement zone. The mediation process continues, with the parties still far apart."

Amcu members at Lonmin, Anglo American Platinum, and Impala Platinum downed tools on January 23 to push for a basic monthly salary of R12 500. They had so far rejected a wage increase of up to nine percent.

The companies, in turn, rejected Amcu's revised demand that the R12 500 could be achieved over four years.

Last week, mining bosses said the strike had caused irreparable harm, and caused loss of an estimated R10bn in revenue.