5 workers shot at Amplats mine

[dlk001]

Not a good start to the year!

At least five workers have been shot after security guards at an Anglo American Platinum mine near Rustenburg allegedly opened fire.

It followed clashes between rival union factions, eNews Channel Africa television said.

The station said it believed one worker at the Siphumelele shaft had been killed.

Union and company officials were not immediately available for comment.

Anglo American Platinum, or Amplats, in January raised the ire of labour and the government when it said it planned to mothball two South African mines, sell another and cut 14 000 jobs.

The world's largest platinum producer was hit by violent strikes last year, sparked in large part by a turf battle between rivals unions for membership.

Amplats shares were down more than 5% in afternoon trade.

http://mg.co.za/article/2013-02-18-mine-workers-shot-at-amplats-mine

 

[2026]

here we go again...

 

[Bizkit87]

/tinfoil hat on

ANC make chaos in mining sector, Says Gov needs to step in and co-run mines to avoid future clashes...

 

[koeksGHT]

here we go again...

Now it's procedure I see haha

 

[Creag]

When will these imbeciles realise how they are killing their own future?

 

[CR34M3]

Ok, so the total injuries are at 13 now... [source]

According to the article:

"The company is currently in the process of validating union membership at Rustenburg and the mines north of the Pilanesberg," she said in a statement.

one has to wonder what the effect on sector stability will be if AMCU 'takes over' a few shafts (with regards to majority union membership). The two (AMCU and NUM) don't seem to be playing along nicely and once they're about the same size there might be more trouble.

Quite a volatile state of affairs...

 

[Sinbad]

Apparently 4 union reps were attacked by 1000 savages with pangas who objected to their presence (validating memberships).

 

[dlk001]

Official Anglo update

Siphumelele Mine 1
Incident at Siphumelele mine in Rustenburg
Published on 18 February 2013

An incident occurred today at our Siphumelele mine in the Rustenburg area, involving members of the Workers Committee and National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) shop stewards

Workers committee members are contesting NUM’s legitimacy at the mine and demanding that NUM vacate its offices. The company is currently in the process of validating union membership at Rustenburg and the mines north of the Pilanesburg.

A total of nine employees were injured when rubber bullets were fired by Platinum security personnel. As they were attempting to evacuate the NUM shop stewards who were trapped in their offices, three security personnel sustained minor injuries. All 12 injured employees received medical attention for non-life threatening injuries. No one was fatally injured during this incident.

Platinum expresses its deep concern about this incident and appeals for its employees to remain calm and respect the company’s dispute resolution process.