JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Platinum producers Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), Impala Platinum (Implats) and Lonmin expected to receive feedback from the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) on the whether it would accept the latest wage offer on Friday.

The companies said in a joint statement on Thursday that “in principle” undertakings had been reached with the leadership of AMCU in respect of wages and conditions of employment.

The union had indicated that it would discuss these undertakings with its members to seek a mandate to accept the offers, which, if approved, would bring to an end the 21-week-long strike in the sector.

News agency Reuters on Thursday reported that AMCU shop stewards had urged union leader Joseph Mathunjwa to sign the wage deal at a mass meeting held in Rustenburg on Wednesday. 

“The principles that underpin the proposals seek to achieve a sustainable future for the three platinum companies for the benefit of all stakeholders and to afford employees the best possible increase under the current financial circumstances,” the platinum producers said in a joint statement, adding that, should an agreement be reached, the companies would assist employees to ensure a safe return to a normal working environment.

Following the announcement, Lonmin’s share price on the JSE reached a high of R46.65 on Thursday, a 9.7% increase on Wednesday’s closing price of R42.52, while Implats’ shares jumped 3.5% from R113.06 at Wednesday’s close to a high of R117.01 on Thursday.

Amplats’ share price reached a high of R490.96 after the announcement, from R478.29 at closing on Wednesday, reflecting a 2.6% increase.

Meanwhile, trade union Solidarity on Thursday said it planned to serve court papers next week in a bid to have nonstriking mineworkers’ right to work restored.

The application would be based on, besides other aspects, workers’ constitutional right to dignity and safety.

Solidarity general-secretary Gideon du Plessis said the purpose of the application was to achieve a balance between workers’ right to strike and nonstriking workers’ right to work.

“Solidarity recognises the constitutional right to strike, along with the associated limitations set by legislation. The AMCU strike has, however, exceeded all boundaries of fairness and reasonableness, causing a humanitarian crisis for both nonstriking and striking mineworkers that will have lasting repercussions.

“The situation in which innocent, nonstriking workers find themselves has led to a large-scale humanitarian crisis for the workers, their families and their dependants,” he said.