Miningmx reports that production at Petra Diamonds’ Finsch mine and its Kimberley Ekapa Mining Joint Venture in the Northern Cape has been interrupted by labour disruptions that might be related to wage negotiations.  

Petra on Tuesday described the labour relations as “volatile”.  “Although underground and surface mining have been affected, plant treatment is continuing at near normal capacity at both operations treating surface material and available stockpiles,” the company said in a statement.  Petra added that it was in ongoing discussions with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in order to resolve the situation.  Normal operations were continuing at the Cullinan and Koffiefontein mines.  With wage talks to renew the previous three-year deal that expired in June underway, the NUM has accepted an offer in respect of Cullinan.  Petra CEO Johan Dippenaar said:  “We see the Cullinan deal as a positive sign and we are well down the line negotiating a new deal [elsewhere].”  He added that the company expected to pay wage increases of between 7.5% and 10% in a new three-year compact.

• Read this report by David McKay at Miningmx

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