Miningmx reports that, speaking last week, Chris Griffith, CEO of Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), said his company had done “a lot of work” with employees, especially at the firm’s Amandelbult facilities near Rustenburg, in an effort to avoid potential strike action later this year.  

Amandelbult is considered to be the most vulnerable of the platinum producer’s assets should a strike occur.  “We don’t get the sense that there’s an appetite for a strike.  We don’t have an unhappy workforce,” Griffith opined.  He noted that not all of the demands for the first round of wage talks had been submitted.  Apparently, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the General Industrial Workers Union of SA (Giwusa) have tabled opening offers in double-digit territory, around 15%.  On Thursday, it was reported that the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) was planning to present “substantial demands” to seven platinum producers, including Amplats, Sibanye Gold and Impala Platinum.  “We expect another tough round of negotiations,” Jana Marais, spokeswoman for Amplats said.  “Our employees’ disposable income has been under increasing pressure in a difficult economy, while the platinum mining industry also continues to face significant challenges,” she stated.

• Read the full original of David McKay’s report in the above regard at Miningmx

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