Labour strife spreads to Anglo American
Mineworkers take part in a march outside the Anglo American mine in South Africa’s North West Province, Sept.12, 2012. Anglo shut down operations at all its platinum mines in Rustenberg, South Africa, on Wednesday, citing threats of violence to its workers.SIPHIWE SIBEKO/Reuters
Labour unrest sweeping through South Africa's mining sector hit Anglo American Platinum on Wednesday, with stick-waving miners blockading roads leading to shafts and calling for a shut-down of operations.SIPHIWE SIBEKO/Reuters
A mineworker addresses his colleagues before taking part in a march outside the Anglo American mine Sept. 12, 2012. Anglo American accounts for 45 per cent of global platinum production and has 26,000 employees in the area.SIPHIWE SIBEKO/Reuters
Police keep watch as mine workers march outside the Anglo American mine. South Africa’s mining industry is facing its “most challenging period” since the end of apartheid, Susan Shabangu, mineral resources minister, told The Financial Times. Police last month shot and killed 34 illegally striking workers at Lonmin’s platinum mine.SIPHIWE SIBEKO/Reuters
Mineworkers protest during a march outside the Anglo American mine on Wednesday. Anglo’s move shows how ongoing problems at Lonmin, where less than 2 per cent of its 38,000 staff at Marikana are at work, are affecting other companies and sectors.SIPHIWE SIBEKO/Reuters
Rustenburg, where Anglo American has five mines, accounts for about 30 to 35 per cent of the group’s production.SIPHIWE SIBEKO/Reuters
A mine worker takes part in the march outside the Anglo American mine Sept. 12, 2012. The platinum price rose almost 4 per cent on Wednesday to a five-month high.SIPHIWE SIBEKO/Reuters