JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – As the strike in the platinum sector continues, talks between platinum producers and the Association of Construction and Mineworkers Union (AMCU) to end the dispute are “off to a constructive start”, the CEOs of the strike-hit companies said in a joint statement.

AMCU general secretary Jimmy Gama told Mining Weekly Online that while “nothing much” emerged out of the talks on Monday, the union was expecting a new undisclosed offer to be tabled by the platinum producers during the meeting on Tuesday.

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration- (CCMA-) facilitated discussions to resolve the ongoing strike, which started on January 23, and the wages and conditions of service disputes, resumed on Tuesday and were expected to conclude by Wednesday.

The respective CEOs of Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), Impala Platinum (Implats) and Lonmin, Chris Griffith, Terence Goodlace and Ben Magara, remained hopeful of a successful outcome.

The 80 000-odd striking AMCU members were demanding a wage of R12 500 a month for entry-level workers at all three platinum producers – which the platinum producers’ leaders said was unrealistic and unaffordable.

Implats, Amplats and Lonmin were offering above-inflation increases of between 8% and 8.5% for employees in the A- and B-band bargaining unit, which comprised category 4 to 8 employees, and 7.5% for C-band employees, which included miners, artisans and officials. Accommodation and other allowances would also be increased.

Amplats was losing 4 000 oz/d of platinum, resulting in a daily revenue loss of R100-million as a result of the industrial action, while Lonmin and Implats expected to lose about 3 100 oz/d and 2 800 oz/d in platinum production respectively.

“In the end, resolution must be found,” the CEOs said.

“We remain confident that a mediated solution will be found to resolve the strike in the platinum sector and that parties have come to the process willing to engage with each other,” CCMA director Nerine Kahn added.