[miningmx.com] — THE National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Tuesday warned that a prolonged strike at Northman Platinum was likely to hurt the platinum producer’s financial performance.
The strike by 8,000 mineworkers, which started on Sunday last week, has shut down Northam’s Zondereinde mine in the Limpopo province.
Northam has said it is losing 1,000 ounces a day due to the strike.
NUM said although the strike was now in its second week there had been no talks.
Workers are demanding a 15% wage increment and a R3500 living out allowance while the company is offering an 8% increase and a living out allowance of R1700, which is up from its pervious offer of R1600.
The parties are now expected to meet on Wednesday under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) in Polokwane.
“This strike would continue to cause havoc on to Northam’s financial performance. It is up to them whether they want a resolution or not,” said Zwelitsha Tantsi, the NUM’s chief negotiator at Northam.
