Lace mine
JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Workers at DiamondCorp’s Lace mine, in the Free State, downed tools on Thursday in an Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union- (AMCU-) led protest against the Aim-listed company’s refusal to employ two full-time salaried shop stewards.
DiamondCorp said in an update to shareholders that it would apply the “no work, no pay” rule for the undetermined duration of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration-approved strike action.
"Management is disappointed that AMCU leaders have decided to encourage AMCU members at Lace into industrial action, which in the end provides no financial benefits to the mine workforce but is instead self-serving only to the union leadership, said DiamondCorp CEO Paul Loudon.
The diamond development and exploration company stood firm, stating that a mine development project of less than 260 workers could not afford – or require – two full-time shop stewards.
While AMCU was the majority union at the Lace mine, non-AMCU members would continue work on the development tunnelling in the Upper K4 mining block and the processing of development kimberlite.
Further, contractors installing the underground conveyor belt system were not affected by the strike.