Despite a strike by about 200 contract workers at Harmony Gold’s Kalgold mine, in North West province, there was no disruption to production, Harmony spokesperson Marian van der Walt confirmed on Friday.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) reported that more than 200 employees of contract mining firm ALS Mining had downed tools over a disagreement over wages.

The union noted that it was demanding a 15% wage increase for its members, but that ALS Mining was only offering a 10% increase from December onwards.

“The major difference is not really about the figures, it is about the implementation date. If they agree to backdate the wages from May as usual, then we will have no problem, even if it is backdated by only 6%,” NUM Kimberley region organiser Bonke Motsisi said.

The union has declared a dispute over the implementation date and obtained a certificate of nonresolution from the Council for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.

Van der Walt said that the contract company was only responsible for the mining and hauling operations. The blasting and drilling operations, as well as the mills, were all operating as normal.

She noted that stockpiles of material had also been built up beforehand.

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