PERTH (miningweekly.com) - ASX-listed Platinum Australia’s embattled Smokey Hills operation has once again been thrust into the limelight as disgruntled contract workers started a protected industrial action on Monday.

The strike, which affects all of mining contractor JIC Mining Services’ operations, including the Smokey Hill mine, was in support of a wage claim by the National Union of Mineworkers.

JIC has been in negotiations with the union on a two-year wage agreement for the last three months, and has advised Platinum Australia that it is hopeful of reaching an agreement following meetings arranged for Tuesday.

Platinum Australia said in a statement that the strike has caused significant disruption to production, adding that at this point, the company expected to return to normal operations before the end of the week.

The miner only resumed underground production at the Smokey Hills mine on September 20, after local communities blocked the access road to the mine.

During May this year, operations at Smokey Hills were also suspended after an employee was attacked and killed by a mob of people, including ex-employees whose services were terminated in early February.

At the end of last year, JIC dismissed around 85% of its Smokey Hills workforce after employees engaged in an unprotected industrial action.

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