JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – South African platinum-miner Aquarius Platinum said on Monday that it had experienced some delays in the engagement process with new staff at its Kroondal and Marikana operations, where 3 900 workers were dismissed following illegal strike action.

The company previously said that it would lose about 15 000 oz of production during the downtown, but now indicated that the labour issues could cost it up to 20 000 oz of platinum group metals.

Aquarius explained that the delays were as a result of some former employees continuing with illegal action, including intimidating employees who wished to be re-engaged.

“Aquarius Platinum has, therefore, authorised a greater component of the recruitment process to consist of new employees, which necessitates a longer recruitment and induction process, inclusive of training in respect of both safety and production standards,” the company said in a statement.

Production restarted at the Marikana operations at the end of August as planned, with some production at Kroondal only resuming on September 3.

Plans to mitigate the production shortfall over the course of the remainder of the financial year would be put in place with the contractor. As previously reported, the interruption is being used for major maintenance, and the relining of the K2 secondary mill feedend has been completed.

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