Impala Platinum will meet with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) today (1st September) in order to thrash out a deal to end its workers' strike in South Africa.

The industrial action started last Monday after employees at the world's second-largest platinum producer stalled on an improved pay offer despite agreeing to it "in principle".

Now the NUM has confirmed that it will meet with Impala to discuss resolving the strike, which has affected the company's operations at the Rustenburg and Marula mines.

"We are looking forward to the meeting, we believe a solution to the problem could be found at the negotiating table," NUM spokesman Lesiba Seshoka told Reuters.

However, Mr Seshoka warned that there is still a possibility that workers at Impala's Springs refinery could join the strike after the company failed to win a court order against it on Friday.

"We expect Springs to come on board this week after the court ruling declared that the strike was legal," he added.

"Our strike is indefinite, until we get what we want, we can go on for weeks or even months. We can survive."

Impala is offering a ten per cent wage hike but the workers are believed to be holding out for closer to 14 per cent, with the inclusion of allowances for transport and housing.

Approximately 20,000 workers downed tools at Rustenburg and a further 4,000 followed suit at Marula, with the company thought to have lost about 20,000 oz in output already.

"We shall meet the union tomorrow and take it from there. We hope to find a way forward," Impala spokeswoman Alice Lourens told the news provider yesterday.

Rustenburg produces about one million pgm ounces per year, while annual output at Marula is closer to 75,000 oz.

Sources:

S.Africa union to meet Implats for talks on Tuesday (31/08/09)

Implats to meet union as strike enters second week (31/08/09)

Impala Platinum’s Rustenburg Pay Strike Enters a Second Week (31/08/09)

Safrica mine strike enters 2nd week, no talks planned (31/08/09)

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