South Africa: Mining strike looms, as Deputy President Motlanthe appeals for dialogue

South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has appealed for calm and dialogue ahead of a planned strike this week by tens of thousands of workers at platinum and gold mines.

Motlanthe said at a labor conference Wednesday that relations between workers and employers will only get worse if the two sides “dig in their heels.”

The strike for higher wages led by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) is set to begin Thursday and could affect more than half of platinum production in South Africa, the world’s leading producer. It is expected to disrupt operations of mines owned by Lonmin, Anglo American and Impala Platinum.

In the meantime, Impala Platinum said on Wednesday it was closing all operations including its mines, plant and smelter ahead of the planned strike.

Source: Newswires