News
South Africa: Industrial action in mining industry may spread to coal sector
The coal sector has seen two labor disputes this month.
Workers at Johannesburg-listed miner Coal Of Africa began a legal strike last week and Petmin said last Friday contractors at one of its subsidiaries had begun an illegal walkout.
However, South African coal industry insiders note that it is very different to gold or platinum, as it has far fewer workers and is less dangerous. Many coal mines are opencast surface operations, as opposed to deep underground gold mines.
Wildcat industrial action has been triggered in part by union rivalry, promising to get workers better deals.
“It’s unlikely coal will face a similar situation. They’re paid better than gold or platinum and workers don’t stay in hostels, they live in townships or camps with their families,” said Jimmy Gama, treasurer of the Association of Mine Workers and Construction Union (AMCU).
Impact of Truckers Industrial Action
South African coal supplies have seen no disruption from industrial action, but some impact, particularly to flows from small mining firms, might be soon occurring because of a truckers’ strike, called by unions.
The strike halted coal transport by truck to the ports of Maputo (in Mozambique), Durban and a dry bulk Terminal at Richards Bay.
