Workers at Impala Platinum's (Implats) Rustenburg operations who were dismissed by the firm for taking illegal strike action have until today (January 27th) to reapply for their jobs.

Around 5,000 rock drill operators at the Ngezi Mine downed tools over salary grievances last Friday in a wildcat strike declared illegal by a court.

Implats subsequently dismissed all the employees involved, but a deal with the National Union of Mineworkers gave the workers until today to reapply.

By yesterday afternoon, just 15 per cent had reapplied for their jobs, according to Mining Weekly.

The miner estimated the strike was costing it 3,000 platinum group metal ounces per day in lost production.

A report from Goldman Sachs said the impact of the strike could last longer than the two weeks predicted by the company, according to Bloomberg.

"When looking at the Lonmin K3 situation, the impact was closer to four full weeks of lost production as the company was unable to hire all workers back," the authors of the report wrote.

Sources:

Implats gives workers until Friday to reapply for jobs (25/01/12)

Impala Strike Impact Could Last Beyond Two Weeks, Goldman Says (26/01/12)

Implats says 15% of rock drill operators back at work (26/01/12)

Implats says Rustenburg strike illegal, to fire workers (24/01/12)

Implats says 5,000 workers on strike at Rustenburg (23/01/12)

Implats says losing 3,000 oz per day at Rustenburg (23/01/12)

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