Platinum miner Platmin has said operations at its Pilanesberg Platinum Mine are still being affected by industrial action by workers.

In a statement, the company said the disruption was being caused by a small group of employees of mining contractor MCC Contracts, who began an illegal strike last month, destroying some equipment.

Platmin explained that its priorities since the disruptions have been to ensure the safety and security of workers and assets, as well as minimising the impact on production by processing stockpile material.

Although mining activities had been affected, the concentrator has operated at full capacity throughout the period, and even "despatched record metal in concentrate during June".

The drilling and blasting equipment, which is central to the mining activity, has not been damaged.

Platmin now says it is assisting MCC in its talks with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). Both parties are working closely with the police in identifying and prosecuting individuals involved in the disruptions. Platmin said "several" arrests had already been made

The company added the negotiations with the NUM on how to safely resume operations "has been constructive".

MCC's engineering personnel are able to resume work this week to repair or replace the affected vehicles.

"Drilling and blasting crews and the load and haul crews not involved in the disruptions can start work as soon as agreement has been reached between the parties," Platmin said in a statement on Monday (July 4th).

"Inevitably though, mining operations will be disrupted for a period, and the build-up of ore stockpiles accordingly delayed."

Platmin said a further announcement will be made once the impact of the disruption can be properly assessed.

Source:

Platmin, NUM in talks over disruptions (05/07/11) 

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