https://www.miningweekly.com

Workers stage week-long underground sit-in at Palabora

18th March 2013

By: Natalie Greve

Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

  

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JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Seventy-one mineworkers have been staging an underground sit-in at Palabora Mining’s Limpopo operation since March 12, National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka told Mining Weekly Online on Monday.

The NUM members were demanding an additional danger allowance owing to what they deemed as hazardous working conditions and were supported by other miners who were striking on surface. 

The Rio Tinto subsidiary said in a statement that the action by the crews was of “significant concern” and was in contravention of their obligations to the mine’s policies, as well as the provisions of the Mine Health and Safety Act.

Their extended stay underground also has the potential to compromise their health and safety, Palabora cautioned. 

Seshoka added that, while the company had engaged NUM representatives to a certain extent, it had yet to offer an increase to workers’ danger allowance, which he said would indicate a show of good faith that may encourage the workers to return to surface.

He added that the company was providing the underground workers with food and water.

Palabora could not immediately be reached for comment.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Online Managing Editor

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