South Africa strikers halt gold mine operations

on 26/09/2012 12:04:46

Strikers are halting all operations by a gold mining firm in South Africa, the company said today.

The AngloGold Ashanti workers prevented Tuesday's night shift from starting at the West Wits and Vaal River operations, spokesman Alan Fine said.

They joined co-workers who downed tools at AngloGold's Kopanang mine on September 20. Mr Fine said the strikers among 36,000 workers at the three sites have not yet made demands.

The South African mines provide 32% of the multinational's worldwide gold production.

Strikes demanding higher salaries began at a Lonmin platinum mine on August 10 and have spread to several others in the mining sector vital to Africa's largest economy.

Anglo American Platinum workers have been striking for weeks.

The labour unrest spread on Monday to the transport sector with a major union saying 20,000 road freight employees were demanding a 12% pay rise.