South Africa: AngloGold Workers Return to Work

Photo: Werner Beukes/SAPA
Striking mineworker (file photo).

Johannesburg — Most striking workers at AngloGold Ashanti's three West Wits mines returned to work on Friday morning, the company said.

"These workers join their colleagues at the Vaal River operations who returned to work on Monday, 22 October and Tuesday, 23 October 2012," it said in a statement.

AngloGold said a large number of employees returned to work at the Mponeng, Tau Tona and Savuka mines. About 12,000 workers had gone on strike for a wage increase at these three mines.

The company said the dismissal process would continue for those who did not return to work.

The unprotected strike started at the Kopanang mine on the Vaal River on September 20 and at its other mines five days later.

AngloGold said about 32,000 ounces of gold production was lost each week during the strike when the six mines were "idle".

"Further details on the impact of the unprotected strike, the settlement and the ramp-up process will be provided along with AngloGold Ashanti's operating and financial results on 8 November 2012," it said.

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